The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, presided over a colourful ceremony in a packed St Paul's Cathedral on Saturday, which saw a record number of candidates ordained in the Diocese of London.

Of the 566 who will be ordained deacon in the Church of England this year nationally, the growing church in London produces more ordinands than any other diocese.

In total 45 candidates, of whom 16 were women, were ordained by the Bishop of London to the office of deacon. The Bishop of London was assisted in the service by the Diocese of London's Area Bishops of Stepney, Edmonton, Kensington and Willesden, and more than a dozen other bishops and 300 clergy were also crowded into the cathedral.

The Diocese of London's new deacons will actively serve their local communities across the capital. Deacons assist the priest of the parish in which they serve, undertaking liturgical, teaching and pastoral work. The ordination to the diaconate is usually the first step towards priesthood, with most of the current intake planning to become priests in a year's time.

The new deacons' ages range from 25 to 63-years-old, with nearly half of them under the age of 40 and all from a diverse range of backgrounds. Included in the ordination service were married couple Adrian and Kerry Samuel going to the parish of St Mary the Virgin, Twickenham. Both are religious education teachers who are looking forward to taking their first steps into ministry together.

The service also saw the ordination of candidates who have worked in the media, politics and legal professions and have lived across the globe from Scotland to Devon, via Hong Kong and back. Alongside these candidates were a keen horticulturalist, a civil servant and even a former opera singer.

Dr Chartres said: "I am delighted that a record number of such capable men and women have committed to serving their local parishes across London. This service saw the coming together of people from a wide range of backgrounds, all ready to go forward and offer their talents to the diverse and vibrant communities that exist within our capital.

"This is an exciting moment for the Diocese as these new Deacons will play a huge role in enriching the lives of their fellow Londoners through the work of God."