WORSHIPPERS at Copmanthorpe Parish Church were looking to the future today following the appointment of a new vicar.

St Giles's Church hit the headlines earlier this year after its former vicar, the Rev Eric Lomax, quit after forming a relationship with married parishioner Liz Carter.

Mr Lomax, 37, who left his wife and two children, moved in with Mrs Carter while her husband was still living in their marital home.

The Rev David Cook, Rector of the Holme & Seaton Ross Group of parishes, said he was looking forward to starting at St Giles's.

Mr Cook, 53, who is moving to Copmanthorpe with his 16-year-old son, was ordained in 1971 after training at Lichfield Theological College. In 1983 he moved to the Diocese of York as Vicar of Holme-upon- Spalding Moor, and in 1998 became Rector of the Holme and Seaton Ross group, with responsibility for neighbouring village churches in Bielby, Bursea, Everingham, Harswell and Seaton Ross.

Divorced Mr Cook said: "After nearly 19 years in a very rural area, I am looking forward to a different environment and a different kind of church life."

Updated: 10:32 Friday, September 28, 2001