A man who has lived in Beccles for more than 20 years has been ordained to work in the Church of England.

After a journey of 35 years, Philip Miller, who works at Clays Printers of Bungay, was finally ordained as a deacon on June 30.

He has spent the past 15 years as a lay reader, but after three years of study and several years of exploration has begun a new phase in his ministry.

He said: “I feel deeply honoured and amazed that God has called me to serve Beccles in this way.”

Mr Miller, who lives with his wife Natalie, will spend 12 months as a deacon at St Luke’s Church, Rigbourne Hill, near his home, before returning to the Cathedral at Bury St Edmunds in 2014 to be ordained as a priest.

Reverend John Beauchamp, rector at St Michael’s and St Lukes churches, said: “We have been looking forward to Phil’s new ministry for a long time.

“It is particularly special when a local church identifies a calling to ministry in one of its members and then supports the growth and development of that calling through training and on into ministry.

“Phil has many special gifts that will enrich the life of St Luke’s and the church across the town.”

“I’m looking forward to sharing ministry with John Beauchamp,” added Mr Miller, “a ministry that is about reconnecting people with the truth of God’s immeasurable love in Jesus Christ for each one of us. Our hope is that, in knowing God’s love, we will each grow into the people that God intends us to be.”

Mr Miller was ordained by the Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, at a service in the Cathedral at Bury St Edmunds.