A WOMAN priest who trained in Rome has been installed as the new rector of four parishes on the Quantock Hills.

More than 200 parishioners and guests attended a service at St Augustine's Church, West Monkton, where the Rev Mary Styles will work, along with Kingston St Mary, Cheddon Fitzpaine and Broomfield.

Last Wednesday's service was led by the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, assisted by the Rev Dr Andrew Tatham, acting Archdeacon of Taunton and the Rural Dean, the Rev Adrian Youings.

Mrs Styles was born in Surrey and studied at Southampton, where she met her husband Tony. The couple have two grown-up children, Emma and Samuel.

She moved to Italy, where Tony was working, 16 years ago and trained as a reader in All Saints' Rome chaplaincy church.

She undertook further training in Rome and Cambridge before becoming one of the very few women to be ordained in Italy.

Mrs Styles, whose hobbies include walking, cycling and gardening, has moved into the new rectory at Bishops Close, Bathpool.

She said she is looking forward to getting to know people in the four parishes and working towards God's vision for the new benefice.

She will be assisted in her ministry by the Rev Tony Woodward, who lives in Kingston St Mary.