Brentford vicar and land lady swap jobs

Speaking about why she decided to do the swap, Reverend Durkin said: "I think for me, the realisation that our roles, though in many ways very diverse, actually have many similarities. We both play our parts in the community, both having a pastoral and caring part to play."

Many of the congregation at St Faith's regularly drink or dine in the Enfield Road pub and Ms Durkin says she regularly sees couples in the pub whose babies she has baptised.

Landlord Lee said: "The similarities between my job and Derath's have become very apparent. Although the 'Nelly' does offer the obvious refreshments, I would also like to think we offer a sympathetic ear, a rest from the road, sanctuary after a hard days work and a a release from reality TV. So when Derath offered me the chance for this job swap I have been both terrified and terribly excited."

Derath will be serving customers at the Brentford pub on Saturday January 30 and Lee will be giving a talk about his role in the community in the sermon slot, at the Sunday service at St Faith's, at 10am on February 7.

Ms Durkin says she believes that the church needs to engage with the community in which it serves and she has sought to do that over the last four years by bringing Christmas Carols into the Lord Nelson and holding services at Clayponds Community Centre.

To find out more visit www.parishofbrentford.org.uk/stfaiths.htm or ring the parish office on 0208 568 7442.