Wiltshire is proving to be a home-from-home for the county’s newest Methodist minister.

The Rev Cathy Arscott moved from Devon last month to take up a position as minister at Melksham United Church.

She also oversees proceedings at Whitley Methodist Church, St Aldhelm’s in Corsham and the Chittoe Heath Methodist Church in Bromham.

She has come to Melksham with her husband Frank and a golden retriever called Sam.

She said: “I’ve had a really warm welcome from everyone here. We’ve been made to feel right at home. I didn’t start my new term until September, so I’ve been able to get to know the area a little already.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

She was inducted into the parish at a service at Trowbridge United Church on Tuesday last week by the Rev Ward Jones, the chairman of the Bristol Methodist District.

Mrs Arscott, who was ordained in 2006 and had worked with the church in Devon for 10 years, said: “The service was wonderful. There were over 120 people there.

“I like to focus on reaching out to the community and I would like for opportunities to work with other churches in the area.

“I am particularly interested in families and I want to look at ways to make all the age groups within the community feel welcome in the church.

“I move around between all the churches in my area. The Melksham church is beautiful, and so is St Aldhelm’s now it’s been refurbished.