THE chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council is to be made an honorary lay canon at Gloucester Cathedral.

Peter Clark will have the title bestowed upon him by the Bishop of Gloucester in a service at the cathedral this Sunday.

A Canonry is given by the Bishop in recognition of significant service in the diocese.

Mr Clark was invited to join the cathedral chapter by the Dean Stephen Lake, who he had previously known and worked with on church matters.

As a canons he will become one of 24 members of the College of Canons who work to strengthen the links between the Bishop, his cathedral and the parishes and to ‘enrich the life’ of the diocese.

Mr Clark said in a statement: “I am a committed Christian with a commitment to use my skills to further the exciting ambitions of Gloucester Cathedral as a relevant place of worship and a place that speaks to all visitors about its proud heritage."