FORMER nurse Selina Deacon will be helping mark a special anniversary when she is ordained as priest at Westbury's All Saints Church this weekend.

It has been 10 years since women were accepted into the priesthood and, while Mrs Deacon, 52, knows there are those who are uncomfortable with the change, she is convinced it is the right move.

She said: "I admit I had doubts myself a decade ago and even now there are people who have said they will not take communion when I officiate but it is all down to personal choice.

"I personally believe women bring something different and special to the priesthood and I am really grateful to the women and men who fought for this."

Mrs Deacon is widowed with three grown-up daughters and has been working in the Westbury parish for a year after carrying out a two-year residential training course at Ripon College, Oxford.

Her work in the parish involves everything from helping with reading at the local school to visiting people in their homes.

Her ordination will allow her to officiate at weddings, baptisms, communions and funerals and is taking place on June 27 at 10am.