Minister of the Trinity United Reformed Church and Methodist Church in Sutton Martin Camroux is now The Times Preacher of the Year 2001.

He won the national competition on Wednesday at a preach off ceremony in London.

Mr Camroux fought off competition from a rabbi, an Anglican priest, a trust director and a senior chaplain to win the top accolade and £1,500.

Mr Camroux said: "It was a little odd really because you were competing against other preachers whilst preaching normally. It was a bit of fun and everyone competing was very nice to each other."

He has already worked out what the money will be spent on: "My children had it lined up months ago that if I won then they would get a new computer, so I'm off on Monday to buy it.

"It will hopefully stop them playing games on mine."

The minister was accompanied to the competition in Oxford Street by a team of loyal supporters from his church.

His sermon was called Why Can't We Live Together.

The minister said: "My sermon was about how religions should unite and I was asking what qualities we need to live together in harmony."

Mr Camroux will now go on to sit on the board of judges next year and gets to decide the venue for the event. He hinted that Sutton may host the competition in 2002.

December 3, 2001 12:30