Councillors welcomed the appointment of the first female Vicar of Bolton during a meeting at the town hall. 

Revd Hannah Lane is to take over from Revd Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle after his retirement a year ago.

Born in Westhoughton, Revd Lane attended Canon Slade School, before becoming a teacher at schools including Rumworth Special School.

She is a governor for primary schools and secondary schools across the area and a trustee for The Bishop Fraser Trust.

Currently she is the curate of the Turton Moorland Team covering Belmont, Bradshaw, Edgworth and Egerton but she is to take over as vicar of St Peter's Bolton-le-Moors, also known as the Parish Church, and St Philip's Bolton-le-Moors on Bridgeman Street.

On Wednesday last week, councillors welcomed the appointment during a meeting at the town hall.

Linda Thomas asked council leader Nick Peel to congratulate Revd Lane on behalf of the council. 

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Cllr Thomas said: "I am delighted to hear the Revd Hannah Lane has been appointed to be the first female Vicar of Bolton at our Parish Church by the Bishop of Manchester.

"Chris set an excellent example as a partner of the council in all civic matters and Hannah will bring another dimension to this relationship and be a female role model for others."

Cllr Peel said: "The town centre will have many, many more residents in the years to come and we know the Revd Hannah Lane will make sure the Parish Church is a welcoming place for people who make the town centre their home along with other places of worship."

The induction of Revd Lane is to be on a date to be determined.

The Bolton News understands it is likely to be in several months.

Previously she said: "It has been an honour to serve my curacy in the Turton Moorland Team and I am sad to be leaving behind so many lovely people. I am excited for new challenges while feeling grateful for all I have learnt and for everyone I have met.

"I feel that the time is right for me to move on and that the team is at a point in its story where a new chapter is ready to begin.

"I make no secret about my rootedness in our town, and I am proud to have been able to start my ministerial career in the Turton Moorland Team and Bolton Deanery, and I am pleased I will be continuing to serve the borough in my new role."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.