THE new Archdeacon of Canterbury has been announced. He is the current Archdeacon of Maidstone, the Ven Patrick Evans, and will succeed the Ven John Pritchard who is leaving at the end of December to be the next Bishop of Jarrow.

It is thought he will take up his post towards the end of February, 2002. Mr Evans said: "I am excited by this opportunity of continuing to serve the whole life of the Diocese but also playing my part in the life and work of our Cathedral and its special place as the Mother Church of the whole Diocese."

Mr Pritchard said he was delighted. "I couldn't imagine a more able and popular figure to become Archdeacon of Canterbury and know I have a friend living in a place I have loved," he said.

Mr Evans' duties will involve trouble-shooting and keeping an eye on the state of church buildings and working closely with the Cathedral's Chapter. He will also support clergy and church workers in his area.

As senior Archdeacon in the Canterbury province, he will install all new diocesan bishops. Mr Evans, 58, has been Archdeacon of Maidstone since 1989. He used to be articled to a firm of solicitors and then worked in marketing and sales management. He is interested in defence issues and enjoys boating and reading biographies and autobiographies.

He is married to Jane, a counsellor at an NHS Trust and has three grown up children.