Mark Berry has moved to Telford to take up the seven-year post in an attempt to encourage more people aged between 20 and 40 to attend church.

Less than 1% of Telford residents attend church, according to the Diocese of Lichfield, which is one of the groups behind the move.

A spokesman said Mr Berry had a tough job ahead of him.

John Martin, from the Church Mission Society also behind the decision, added: "When it comes to belief there seems to be less faith in British cities today than there was in the African bush 100 years ago.

"It's going to be a tough job to find new ways of bringing Christianity to people who have perhaps never even seen a copy of the Bible."

Mr Berry, a former theatre lighting designer, has led seminars for the Diocese of Oxford and lecturing for The Centre for Youth Ministry.