Churches in Ottery have been awarded �25,000 for a youth worker out of a special fund from Exeter Diocese.

The grant is part of a scheme which has handed out �400,000 to help Devon churches grow, in the latest round of its payments from its Million for Mission fund.

It drew �1million from its reserves to give parishes the resources to work in their communities with young people and those in need.

Churches Together in Ottery applied for money and have now been granted �25,000 for ‘a detached ecumenical youth worker who will engage with young people in and around Ottery St. Mary’.

Reverend Mac Dick, assistant curate at Ottery Parish Church, said the grant was an amazing vote of confidence in the group, which is made of several different churches in the town.

He said: “This is an opportunity to work alongside young people, especially those who are disadvantaged and on the fringes of society, outside of church and in their own environment.”

The Right Reverend Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, said the response to the diocese initiative had been fantastic.

He said: “The sheer breadth of Million for Mission projects shows that churches across Devon are working with their local communities to respond to need, both spiritual and physical; and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.”