Rev Jonathan Fleming moved to Erskine in November 2012 with his wife Karyn and two daughters Rachel, seven, and Hollie, three.

The 33-year-old was nominated for the enormous amount of community work he does within the parish where he tries to make the Parish Church the centre of the community running clubs for children, staging film shows, encouraging greater interaction between the churches and a host of other initiatives that are selfless and community minded.

Jonathan said: “I was very surprised. There is a massive number of people in Erskine who work for the community and it’s lovely people feel I have made a difference.” Unaware that he had even been nominated, Jonathan said he thought he had misheard the voicemail informing him that he had won the award.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t have a clue I had been nominated.

“It’s great the work I’m doing has been acknowledged. It’s a tremendous honour.” A spokesman for Erskine Community Council said: “22 people were nominated for a variety of reasons and it was a difficult decision by the judges to narrow it down to a final winner.

“However, after due consideration it was agreed that the 2015 winner should be the Reverend Jonathan Fleming of Erskine Parish Church.

“In recognition of his achievement Jonathan will be presented with a framed certificate on the Erskine Festival Gala Day to be held on the August 15 at Park Mains High School.” Erskine Parish Church will be hosting an opening event for the Erskine Festival where 170 people will gather to watch a movie screening in the church.

Jonathan said: “It was lovely for us to be asked to take part. It’s great we are able to contribute to such a large event.” Around 2,500 are expected to turn out for the week long Erskine Festival which will run until August 15.

The Gala Day will host a range of attractions including a flying bird of prey display from KG Hawks, fairground rides, inflatables, dance displays by Dancexcel and Young Stars Stage School and performances from local bands and choirs.

The chosen charity for the festival week is Renfrewshire Foodbank and there will be collection points at each venue for donations of dry goods.