A POPULAR vicar whose work attracts worshippers “in their hundreds” has been put in charge of 12 parishes across south Essex.

The Rev David Tudor, rector of Canvey, has been appointed area Dean of Hadleigh, covering a patch from the island through Castle Point to Leigh, Westcliff and St Laurence’s parish in Eastwood.

Mr Tudor takes over from Canon Robin Eastoe, of St Margaret’s Church, Leigh, who is moving to Exeter. A new minister will be appointed at St Margaret’s and Mr Tudor will still be in charge at St Nicholas Church, Canvey.

The Rt Rev Laurie Green, Bishop of Bradwell, praised Mr Tudor as a “first-class” priest. He added: “He is able to offer very strong support to other clergy and parishes.

“He has a great deal of church experience and runs a parish where people simply are coming to the church in their hundreds.”

The licensing of Mr Tudor as area Dean will take place at St Nicholas Church, Long Road, Canvey, tonight at 8pm. His appointment is initially for five years.

Mr Eastoe said the role of area Dean was a difficult one because it came on top of a minister’s day-to-day responsibilities.

He added: “You need to be supportive of the clergy and to be pastorally quite sensitive to what’s going on in the different parishes.

“Being a parish priest is quite a busy job anyway and this is an extra.”

Mr Tudor was unavailable for comment