THE new Dean of Blackburn Cathedral today pledged himself to work for unity with the town's diverse communities.

The Rev Christopher Armstrong, 53, succeeds the retiring Rev David Frayne in December, and will draw on experiences in his family for his new role.

Mr Armstrong's son recently married an Asian woman and he sees this 'union of cultures' as symbol of what Blackburn should strive to achieve.

He said: " "My son has just married an Asian girl and I know that 20 percent of Blackburn is Asian.

"That inter-cultural facet interests me and I know people are working hard, but I want to build on it.

"I also want to support young people in their development and take part in their education. I've been a university Chaplain and think the stimulating intellectual conversations are great fun."

He added: "It's a very exciting challenge. I want to pay tribute to the way the present Dean has worked with his colleagues at the Cathedral and my first concern, under God, is to build on what they have done.

"I know they are working closely with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for the promotion of Blackburn town centre, and I'm very eager to contribute to that,.

"I am keen to retain the Church's influence in society, so the public face of the Church is important to me, but that means nothing without the interior work of the Church in prayer and worship, so the Cathedral is a crucial 'Flagship of the Spiri.' "I want to retain and enhance the present profile of Blackburn Cathedral in the town, the diocese and the region."

Mr Armstrong is currently the Vicar of St. Martin's in Scarborough. He has connections with Lancashire after his parents moved to Clitheroe and Waddington for their retirement.

He was born in Cheshire.

He studied at Nottingham University and Kelham Theological College before becoming a curate in Maidstone, Kent. The University of Durham was next where he was the Anglican chaplain, and then he moved to the York Diocese as a director of Ordinands.

In 1985 he was domestic chaplain to the Archbishop of York, and was there until he moved to Scarborough in 1991.

He is married to Geraldine, a lecturer in further education, and has three children aged between 15 and 23.

Mr Armstrong said: "I came here for a visit with the Archbishop of York several years ago and the Dean kept us in the Cathedral until everyone had shaken his hands - and the friendliness of the folk struck me."

Mr Frayne, 66, is retiring after nine years' service at the Cathedral.