An Oxford and Cambridge educated vicar will be welcomed into his new role by the Bishop of St Albans in September.

Reverend Dr Peter Waddell will be the new vicar for Abbots Langley and Bedmond.

Bill Sanderson, Churchwarden for St Lawrence Abbots Langley and Church of the Ascension, said: “We are delighted that we shall soon be welcoming the Rev Dr Peter Waddell as the new vicar of Abbots Langley.

“He will be moving with his family near the end of August. This is a most important step forward for this busy parish and we shall be very pleased to welcome Peter and his family.”

Rev Waddell is currently at the University of Winchester, where he was Dean of the Chapel.

Rev Waddell was born in Newcastle Country Down, Northern Ireland. He studied theology at Keble College Oxford, where he met his wife, Lisa. They have two sons Sam, 9, and Ben, 7.

He moved the Fitzwilliam College Cambridge to do his Masters and PhD in Theology.

The vacancy has been open for a year since the previous vicar, Jo Spreadbury, left the Parish in the summer.

From September he will be licensed as the new vicar for the Parish of Abbots Langley and the Church of Ascension Bedmond.