KARAOKE and fell walking have helped new St Mary's priest Father Simon Hawksworth settle in to life in Egremont.

The new Catholic priest replaces Father Peter Sayer who recently left the town after 11 years as parish priest.

Father Hawksworth, who previously looked after four parishes in Preston for 15 years, will take charge of two masses in Egremont, on Saturday night and Sunday morning, as well as a 9am mass at Seascale on Sunday morning.

He said: "Everyone has been very nice. I think they're just glad to have a priest in this day and age so people have been very welcoming."

And Father Hawksworth, whose first posting after being ordained in 1984 was at St Bedes in Carlisle, is happy to be in the area.

"Geographically it's a long way from anywhere but I'm delighted because I'm a keen fell walker. I was down at the beach at St Bees the other day with my dog and it's a beautiful spot. I'm always up Scafell Pike and I've got a boat at Bowness."

He added: "With the beach on one side, St Bees only three miles away and the mountains, if I've been sent to exile then I'm quite happy to be exiled."

As well as taking in the scenery, Father Hawksworth has been busy getting accustomed with Egremont. 

He said: "We had a meeting of the Churches Together organisation (which aims to bring all religions in the area together) so I have met the local vicar and I think ecumenical relations are very strong.

"I'm getting myself known in the area as well. I've already been out singing karaoke in one of the pubs so I'm trying to get to know people in the town."

While in Preston, Father Hawksworth helped to save his former church St Walburge from closure.

He explained: "St Walburge is a massive church, it's like a cathedral really, but it was under threat because it was a church which could hold about 1000 people and the congregation was only 100, but it has been maintained now."