A FATHER of six and keen surfer has been appointed the new archdeacon for the Isle of Wight.

Wales-born Dr Trevor Reader will become the most senior Anglican clergyman on the Island from September.

The 56-year-old will succeed the Ven Mervyn Banting, who is due to retire this summer.

He will be responsible for supporting clergy and congregations in the 50 Church of England parishes on the Isle of Wight.

His new post will also involve chairing the diocese's board of education, which advises and supports 49 Church of England schools, youth and children's work in parishes and adult education around the Portsmouth diocese.

The Rev Reader will move from his current post as priest-in-charge of three parishes on the mainland and director of non-stipendiary ministry across the diocese of Portsmouth.

Born in Wales, he originally moved to Portsmouth to study at the polytechnic. After securing a zoology degree and a PhD in parasitic diseases, he continued as a lecturer there for 14 years.

He began training for ordination in 1986 on a course in Salisbury, and then worked as a curate at St Mary's, Alverstoke, in Gosport, for two and a half years and as vicar of St Mary's, Hook-with-Warsash, for nine years.

In 1998 he took up his current dual post as priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity, Blendworth, St Michael and All Angels, Chalton, and St Hubert's, Idsworth, and diocesan director of non-stipendiary ministry. He is married to Lesley, who teaches at Hook-with-Warsash Primary School, and they have six daughters aged between 17 and 26.

The Rev Reader said: "We're excited about the prospect of becoming Islanders, making many new friends, and some good surfing.

"I'm keen to build on the achievements of the past, but I also look forward with hope and confidence. These are challenging times for the Church but there are also immense opportunities."

The Rev Reader will be licensed as Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight by the Bishop of Portsmouth at St Thomas's Church, Newport, on September 27.