The Parish of Wyke Regis, All Saints and St Edmund will continue to look for a new rector next year after failing to attract ‘the right candidate.’

The parish is in a period of interregnum- the time between the departure of the former rector and the appointment of a new one.

It comes after the parish bid farewell to Revd Deb Smith, who moved to Bridport to take up a new role as Team Rector.

A representative from the parish met with the Bishop and Rural Dean of the Diocese of Salisbury to consider the applicants who applied for the post of rector.

Gary Hepburn, Acting Chair of the Parochial Church Council, said: “After some discussion we decided not to ask any of the applicants to attend for interview. It was felt that our profile/advert had not attracted the right candidate.” The parish has made the decision to re-word the advert and look again at the profile, before advertising again in February. Mr Hepburn said: “We felt it was better to take extra time now to seek the correct candidate, rather than to appoint somebody who is not right for us.”

He also praised the efforts of those from the parish during the period of interregnum and added: “We are very lucky to continue to have the support of Betty and Alan as part of our permanent team and the help of people like Geoff Warren, Tony Ball and Mike Lee, keeping all our services covered. Our thanks goes to each one for all the help they are giving us. Please continue to keep the parish and our search for a new rector in your prayers and we will update you on new dates as soon as we have been informed by the diocese.”