Clergyman's 8,000-mile move

Mr Sweeting said he will miss the people of Blackburn

A minister is to swap his Lancashire parish for the Falkland Islands.

Rev Paul Sweeting is leaving his assistant curate post at St Gabriel's Church in Blackburn to become Rector of Christ Church in Port Stanley.

Mr Sweeting's wife Maxine spotted the new job - 8,000 miles away from Blackburn - in a church magazine.

The couple have two children, Jonathan, six, and four-year-old Adam.

It's nothing against Blackburn, but it is about as far away as you can get from the town

Rev Paul Sweeting

Mr Sweeting, 34, said he was "looking forward immensely" to his new role.

"It's a gift for our children because they love wildlife," He said.

Mr Sweeting said that he would miss his parishioners in Blackburn.

He added: "I think some were shocked.

"It's nothing against Blackburn, but it is about as far away as you can get from the town."

Mr Sweeting's appointment was the last made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, before his retirement.