The next Archdeacon of York today said he does not plan to be as controversial as his predecessor - although he shares similar views on women priests. The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, has announced the appointment of the Rev Richard Seed, vicar at Boston Spa since 1980.

His views are in line with the outgoing Archdeacon, the Venerable George Austin, who, as an 'impossiblist' once said a women could no longer be a priest than a man could be a mother.

However Mr Seed said he will be very supportive of women in the clergy in general once he is in his new position.

He explains: "I have always been against the ordination of women, but I am always supportive of women in the clergy and have always had women deacons at Boston Spa.

"I'm not as controversial as Ven Austin by nature, but he said a lot of things that needed saying and challenged the church on many ideas and fought a good corner.

"I come from a traditional catholic wing of the Church of England and I've had theological concerns about the ordination of women, but I would like to say that it's a challenging time in the church.

"I think we need to understand more about what priesthood is about."

Mr Seed's one regret about moving to York is that he will have to leave behind the four pet peacocks which be bought for the gardens at Boston Spa after responding to an advert in the Evening Press.

Joining him in his views on women priests is the soon-to-be appointed new Bishop of Whitby, the Venerable Robert Ladds, who is currently Archdeacon of Lancaster.

Archdeacon Ladds, 57, has exercised a wide and varied ministry in the diocese of Blackburn for the last 17 years.

The new bishop is opposed to the ordination of women but has given his full support to women priests in his archdeaconry.

Married to Roberta, with three grown-up children, the new bishop shares with his wife a keen interest in the cinema, the theatre, the arts, entertaining and travelling.

He will be consecrated in York Minister on Wednesday, September 29.

Mr Seed, who is married to Jane and has four children, will succeed the present Archdeacon of York from September 1.

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