The Rev Jenny Lancaster is the first female team vicar at St Andrew's Church in Jarrow.

She has been nominated for Role Model of the Year in the Pride of South Tyneside Awards.

Jacki Dunn, warden at St Mark's Church in Salem Street, Jarrow, put her forward.

She said: "She has made a great difference in my life and many others. She lights up the church just by walking in with a smile on her face.

"Thanks to her, I have joined the gospel singing group, called Jarrow Gospel Joy, which I would never have done, as I love singing but never had the courage to do so.

"I think she should be nominated for her job. It can't have been easy for her to be the first woman parish priest, but she has done a great job.

"She works very hard at this great demanding job. I would say she is an angel."

Ms Lancaster said she was "very surprised" to be nominated, having only recently taken up the appointment as team vicar.

She added: "I don't often think about the fact that I am the first woman to be appointed as team vicar here.

"I have been called by God to serve in this place and, on the one hand, the fact that I am a woman is not really relevant.

"Over the past eight months, I have been working closely with the Rev Bill Braviner, team rector, and the Rev Graham Opperman, team vicar.

"We believe the best model for priesthood today is men and women working closely together, sharing the workload and supporting one another in ministry.

"We each bring our unique gifts to the role, different strengths and weaknesses, and learn a lot from each other.

"On the other hand, there are sometimes pastoral occasions when it's easier and more appropriate for someone to speak to a female priest.

"In the past, only men have been vicars in Jarrow, consequently there have been no female role models, so I do feel a great sense of responsibility, and I am grateful to Jacki for nominating me."