THAMES Valley Police has appointed a new force chaplain.

Before joining the force, Rev David Wilbraham, who lives in Witney, was a Vicar of two churches in Surrey as well as being chaplain to Surrey Police.

Mr Wilbraham, who will co-ordinate the work of the force's team of chaplains, said: "There is now an effort right across the UK to offer independent pastoral ministry for the police service.

"Policing is a demanding and complex job and I and my chaplains aim to be confidential listening ear.

"We have chaplains from all main faiths. They are there for all staff and I am sure their experience of life and the communities that we all serve will come in useful."

Before becoming a priest Mr Wilbraham spent ten years as a police officer in Merseyside Police where he was a police motorcyclist.

After being ordained in the 1980s he was a curate and then Team Vicar in the Liverpool Diocese. He then worked as welfare officer with Surrey Police before returning to parish ministry alongside being the Surrey Police Chaplain.

His hobbies include motorcycling and sailing. He is married with two grown-up children aged 18 and 22.