TWO clergymen are set to fulfil their career dreams in the church where they first answered their calling.

Fr Nicholas Davis, who is the present assistant curate at St Cuthbert's Church, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, and Fr Graham Hallsall, who used to be a warden at the church, are busy preparing to be ordained as priests.

Mr Nicholas, 26, first came to Darwen two years ago from West Yorkshire as part of a parish placement and enjoyed his work so much he requested a full-time position at the church.

And Mr Graham, 39, who was brought up in Earnsdale Avenue, in Darwen, was a warden at the church for three years until 1998 before deciding to finish his studies and become a deacon at St John and St George the Martyr Church, Preston.

Now the pair are due to complete a three-and-a-half day silent retreat at Whalley Abbey before receiving an official blessing at the church during a special ceremony which will be conducted by the Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard, later this month.

The event is an important time in a churchman's career as they can only celebrate the Eucharist once they become priests.

Mr Graham, whose twin brother, Michael, is also a priest at Southend-on-Sea, said: "I've wanted to be a priest - since leaving school really. It will be quite a big event.

"Being a deacon has been a great privilege and has been a year of preparation for me

Mr Nicholas said: "I've wanted to be part of the church since I left school at 16 and I'm very much looking forward to becoming a priest.

"I've found Darwen very good to settle into and work in. It's a very active parish with a lot of organisations attached to the church."

The ordination will take place at 6.30pm in St Cuthbert's Church on Saturday, June 30.