THE Church of England congregation in the Ludlow area has a new leader in the hot seat.

Bishop Richard Firth was installed at a special service in Hereford Cathedral last Saturday.

He was presented by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

"Now, congregations are keen to know what Bishop Richard’s priorities are for the immediate future, and whether he will look at closing small churches,” said Anni Holden of Hereford Diocese which includes Ludlow.

Bishop Richard will host his own "one man" Question Time at Hereford Cathedral this Saturday.

From his place at the top of the nave he will hear exactly what congregations have to say about key issues such as the parish share and church closures.

Churches across the diocese are struggling to pay the parish share that covers basic bills.

Ageing rural congregations face raising four figure sums each year to survive.

A daunting combined £5 million repair bill faces 25 county churches that English Heritage says are now at risk with most of them home to struggling congregations.

Question Time will follow a concert of popular Christmas music by the cathedral organist, Peter Dyke.

"We are encouraging people who want to meet the Bishop to make a day of it in the city with the Cathedral Café open for coffee and lunches, the concert is at 1.15pm, Question Time at 3pm and Choral Evensong at 5.30," added Ms Holden.