In pictures: A vicar's day

Since the year 1300, the bells of St Mary's Church in East Brent, Somerset, have called its flock to worship. Like his predecessors', the Reverend Martin Lee's day begins with morning prayers at 7.30am. "There might be two or eight or us," he says.

Father Lee's duties are not solely spiritual ones. He also sits on the boards of governors at his three villages' schools - and is a well-known face to their pupils.

The BBC News website followed him on one typical weekday. After prayers, Father Lee visited Brent Knoll Primary School. He inspected the new school buildings.

There was also time for a cup of tea and chocolate biscuits in the staff room.

Then it was back to the classrooms to catch up with the pupils and see what they were up to. In the reception class it was story time.

Next, Father Lee paid a quick visit to the church in Brent Knoll, St Michael's. The church is famous for its 14th century bench ends, which poke fun at the clergy.

A corner of St Michael's church is set aside for the primary school. Their topic at the moment? Father Lee.

Next, Father Lee drove to a funeral in Taunton. He was helping the Vicar of Highbridge, who was unable to take the service.

Curate Stuart Boyd helped in the service by giving the reading. It was his first week in the job after being ordained at the weekend.

One of the last jobs of the day was a meeting to examine plans for a transformation of the parish room. Parishioners plan to add a disabled lavatory for the use of nearby St Mary's.

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