THE funeral of one of the first women to be ordained as clergy in a North-East diocese takes place today.

Family and friends will pay their last respects to the Reverend Beryl Davison, at All Saints' Parish Church, in Lanchester, at 11am. The service will be followed by cremation at Mountsett Crematorium.

Ms Davison, who died in the University Hospital of North Durham, aged 68, was originally from Shildon, and became a parish worker in 1964 at St Mary, in Norton.

In 1967, she moved to Consett parish church, where she stayed as a parish worker, until she was ordained as a deacon in 1987 and became the deaconess in charge at St John's Church Holmside, Burnhope.

At Burnhope, she was among the first women in Durham diocese to be ordained as a priest by the Bishop of Durham and served there until her retirement.

Ms Davison also served as a chaplain at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

It has been requested that no mourning dress be worn and that donations, if desired, go to Christian Aid.