SHE is Britain's youngest woman cleric, and she has just been ordained in York.

At the age of 25, Sam Foster entered the priesthood in a blaze of glory at a ceremony at St Oswald's Church in Fulford - where she has been a curate for a year under the Rev David Goodhew.

Sam said her ordination ceremony had been "amazing".

"I'm just really grateful to the people of Fulford who have welcomed, supported and encouraged me - particularly David and Bishop Martin," she said.

"I just felt upheld by the people supporting me - it was amazing."

Sam said the youngest age a Church of England priest could be ordained was 24, while Roman Catholic priests can be ordained as young as 20.

"Although I'm young, I feel that God has equipped me for this," she said.

"He has given me the confidence and I'm very much aware of that.

"I couldn't do this on my own."

Children from St Oswald's School presented Sam with a special "stole" - her scarf of office - during the service, led by the Bishop of Selby, the Rev Martin Wallace.

Originally from Middlesbrough, Sam joined the priesthood after studying at a theological college in Durham for three years. She received her vocation as a teenager.

Now she is fully ordained, she can give absolution, lead communion services and conduct weddings.

During her time at St Oswald's Church, where she will remain for another few years, she has started up a parents and toddlers' group called Noah's Ark, along with an 18 to 30s social group. "It's to make the church relevant to younger people," she said. "I know what it's like for a young person to go to church and feel completely out of your depth."

After her time at St Oswald's, Sam expects to go on to become either a parish priest or a chaplain.

"I'm not sure what I want to do," she said.

"But now I feel complete. It's such an amazing privilege. I couldn't think of anything better to do with my life - it's just great."

Updated: 09:37 Saturday, July 09, 2005