A Shropshire vicar is to become the new Archdeacon of Carlisle and a Canon Residentiary of Carlisle Cathedral.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, announced this week that the Rev Preb Kevin Roberts, currently Vicar of Meole Brace, will take up his new duties at the end of January 2009.

An Archdeacon is a senior clergy role responsible for legal and administrative matters in a diocese and works very closely in support of the bishop.

Rev Roberts has been Vicar of Holy Trinity, Meole Brace, for more than 17 years and in that time the church has seen significant growth.

Earlier this year The Trinity Centre, a significant extension to the church, was opened to cater for the growing congregation and its mission and ministry work. In 2002 he was appointed a prebendary - or honorary canon - of Lichfield Cathedral, a role he held alongside his parish role.

Responding to the appointment, Rev Roberts said: "I am delighted that Anne and I will be coming soon to the Diocese of Carlisle and to the cathedral.

"We are thrilled by all that we hear about the diocesan strategy and the good things that are happening in the churches of the Carlisle Archdeaconry.

"It is a privilege to be called and we look forward to playing our part in the ongoing renewal and growth of the churches."

The Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, himself a former Archdeacon of Stoke-on-Trent, said: "I am delighted to hear of Kevin Robert's appointment. He has been a first class vicar of Meole Brace and was also an excellent rural dean.

"He will bring to the Archdeacon's post considerable passion and experience linked to a keen sense of strategy. We will miss him greatly in Shrewsbury."

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Graham Dow, said: "Kevin brings with him a great deal of parish experience, a longing to see the church revive and grow and a great enthusiasm for the development of the 'Young Diocese' project."

A graduate of the University of Cambridge in Economics and History, Rev Roberts trained for ordination at St. John's College, Nottingham after a year teaching in Sudan. He was curate at Beverley Minster and curate in charge at Woodley in Oxfordshire, before moving to Shropshire 17 years ago. His wife, Anne, is also ordained and is chaplain and head of RE at Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury.

They have three children, Elise, 24, Adam, 23, and Jonathan, 20. Kevin is a passionate Middlesbrough fan and enjoys photography, reading modern literature and playing the trumpet.