Castle Howard will welcome its first female Chaplain when the Revd Anne Freestone is officially appointed later this month.

Anne, who has been a teacher for many years, joins Castle Howard from Darlington Education Village where she taught children with severe and complex special needs.

Since early 2010, Anne has also been an officiating chaplain for the military supporting four different regiments and will continue to work with the armed forces alongside her new role at the Yorkshire stately home.

Anne said: "I am delighted to have been appointed Chaplain at Castle Howard. I am eager to embrace this fantastic opportunity to serve a unique community and hope to bring together the local villages, parishes and people as we look to the future."

The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Anne as Chaplain to Castle Howard. As well as leading services in the wonderful Chapel, Anne will be helping provide a warm and caring welcome to the thousands of people who visit Castle Howard each year. Anne will bring her many gifts and talents to the role, and I pray that she will flourish and be a blessing to the whole Castle Howard community.”

Anne will be officially welcomed by the Bishop of Selby in the Chapel of Castle Howard on Monday 23 February at 7.30pm.