A FORMER airman has been appointed the new vicar of Clare.

The Rev Stuart Mitchell, a retired RAF chief technician, was in the RAF for 26 years serving at air force stations all over the country. He takes over from Canon John Rankin, who retired from Clare a year ago after 18 years.

Rev Mitchell, a grandfather of one with two grown-up daughters, will cover the six parishes of Clare, Poslingford, Cavendish, Stoke by Clare, Wixoe and Hundon in the Stour Valley benefice.