The vicar of the Llantilio Crossenny group of churches has been appointed a Canon of Newport Cathedral by the Bishop of Monmouth.

Canon David Osborn will be installed on October 21 and will become part of the governing chapter of the Cathedral.

"I'm absolutely delighted - particularly for my parish. I'm looking forward to helping the Cathedral team do more to make Newport Cathedral a place of pilgrimage," he said.

Canon Osborn is already a chaplain of Westminster Abbey, an interesting role that saw him attending rehearsals for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

"I'm one of around 30 chaplains from across the country. I go up to London three or four times a year for a week at a time.

"My last visit was for St David's Day, where the congregation included our local MP David Davies, members of the Welsh Society and devotees of Dylan Thomas."

Canon Osborn, who came to Wales from Bracknell in Berkshire six years ago, even attempted to deliver part of the St David's Day service in Welsh!

As well as being vicar of Llantilio Crossenny, Penrhos, Llanvetherine and Llanvapley he is also Area Dean of Abergavenny. He lives in Llantilio Crossenny with his wife Helen. The couple have four grown-up children.

"After 40 years in the Church of England my Bishop thought that Wales would be a good place for me to go into semi-retirement!" he said. "I'm thoroughly enjoying the change. It's a very different environment. My work here brings me much closer to the people. I feel I am a priest rather than a manager - and that's wonderful."