A chaplain at Great Yarmouth College who provides a sympathetic ear to thousands of students and staff can continue to provide religious support for at least another three months.

A chaplain at Great Yarmouth College who provides a sympathetic ear to thousands of students and staff can continue to provide religious support for at least another three months.

It was feared that Reverend Margaret Bazely's work at the college may be scrapped or be significantly curtailed at the end of the month because of a shortfall of about �3,000 in church funding.

However the diocese of Norwich said yesterday it will fund her post for the next three months.

It is hoped that that three month time scale will give churches in the Yarmouth area time to find extra funding for the chaplaincy position, which has been running for 12 years and is jointly paid for by the college and churches.

The Rev Chris Terry, team rector at St Nicholas' Church, had led the appeal to find the funding shortfall and praised the diocese of Norwich for stepping in to help.

He said: “The role of the Yarmouth College chaplaincy is very important as there are thousands of students and staff there who may need spiritual guidance and support and a sympathetic listening ear.”

Rev Bazely has been chaplain since November and churches in the borough need to raise between �6,000 and �7,000 a year to help fund her position.

She said: “My duties have included providing one-to-one staff and student support, convening the weekly prayer meeting, sitting in on teaching and meeting the student union president to plan events.”

Anyone who wants to help fund the Yarmouth College chaplaincy role can email gyteamrector@btinternet.com.