A HAMPSHIRE churchgoer inspired to join the clergy after surviving a dramatic car crash in France has been ordained.

Amy Webb's car was totally destroyed as it rolled over twice containing her and her daughters Isobel and Mathilda, then aged seven and five.

No one was hurt in the crash, in 2009. The 40-year-old saw their miraculous survival as proof of that God was calling her to join the Church of England clergy.

She became a reverend at a ceremony at Portsmouth Cathedral and is now set to become curate in Botley, Curdridge and Durley.

Ms Webb, who worships at St John's Church in Fareham, said: "When the car came to rest in this field, I had this amazing sense of God's presence in the silence. It was a desperate situation - I'd bought the car with my divorce money, the insurance didn't cover it, and I lost the ferry ticket in the crash. But I was alive and so were the girls, and I felt that God was saying to me that my life could end at any time and what was I going to do with it?”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Amy Webb at her ordination (left), how her car was left after the 2009 crash (right)

Ordination as deacon, the first of six stages, means Ms Webb can wear a dog collar, preach and lead services including weddings and Holy Communion. She will serve Botley's All Saints, Durley's Holy Cross and St Peter's Church in Curdridge.

Ms Webb added: “I had joined the choir at St Columba Church in Fareham when I was 11, but then drifted away from church when I was about 16. I was married at 22 and had my girls when I was 26 and 28, but my marriage was falling apart. Five weeks after my second daughter was born, my husband left me. We'd made a bit of a mess of our lives.

“By that time, I'd become involved with St John's Church, through an Alpha course. I saw a leaflet come through the door, went along and found them very welcoming. I became more involved with the church and over the last 15 years, they've helped me through the end of my marriage, my divorce and bringing up two girls."