THE Rev Jenny Jeffery has been commissioned as chaplain at Bishop Henderson Primary School, Taunton.

Pupils, staff and governors packed St Michael's Church, Galmington, for the service led by the Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rec Peter Maurice.

The Rev Jeffery is associate vicar in The Wilton Team Ministry and her chaplaincy is a first for a primary school in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

The chaplaincy is funded by the diocese's Parish Development Fund and the Church Councils and supported by the school.

The service ended with the whole school processing behind the Bishop from the church to the school, where balloons with attached prayers were released.

The Rev Jeffery already knows the school well - her children were educated there and she taught there in the past.

Head teacher Tracey Khodabandehloo said: "The sight of the robed Bishop standing on the school field, coupled with the release of the purple and white balloons was a spectacle which will be remembered by our pupils for many years to come.

"The spontaneous clapping and cheers from the children concluded the joyful celebration."