A curate is praying for the safety of his wife who is living in Sars-stricken Hong Kong.

Peter Lo, 48, has been appointed curate at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield but his wife Joni is still living in his Hong Kong homeland.

The pair have visited each other regularly since he moved to Sussex three years ago but his next trip to Hong Kong could be delayed by fears over the potentially-fatal pneumonia-like Sars virus.

There have been more than 4,200 reported cases worldwide and more than 250 deaths, with China, Hong Kong and Canada most seriously affected.

Mrs Lo, 47, has told her husband in daily phone calls of the terror sweeping the nation as the death toll rises.

Mr Lo, of Goldcrest Drive, Uckfield, said: "It is very worrying. Sars is causing great concern in Hong Kong. People are scared.

"The shops are empty, the restaurants are empty, the streets are empty. No one is going out unless they have a very special reason to.

"Everyone is refraining from touching each other at all - not even handshakes.

"People are wearing masks and washing their hands all the time. My wife is having to do the same. If you don't, people think you are a freak."

But he said he was trying to take what comfort he could from statistics.

He said: "Out of seven million people there, there have been about 1,000 cases, with about 110 people dying. That is a pretty low chance of catching Sars and failing to recover."

Mr Lo, who served as a stipendiary priest in Hong Kong for seven years, moved to England for the education of his children, Theresa, 17, and Ambrose, 15, who attend Uckfield Community College.

He said: "Everyone in Hong Kong believes the secondary education in the UK is the finest in the world. My children and I agree, we love it here."

However, Joni stayed to continue her work with the China Congregational Church in Hong Kong but may move to England permanently later this year.

She visits England on average four times a year, with Mr Lo travelling in the other direction twice annually.

He has bought airline tickets to go to Hong Kong in mid-July, to return in late August.

He said: "I hope it is not affected by Sars. As long as we do everything we are supposed to do to keep safe, there should not be a problem."

Prior to taking up his appointment, Mr Lo was a religious education teacher at St Wilfrids Roman Catholic School in Crawley and assistant priest at St Johns Church, Crowborough.

He has been a regular worshipper at Holy Cross and when the curate's vacancy came up he jumped at the chance to apply.

He said: "It is a very warm church, with a lot of potential for growth. I am greatly looking forward to being involved."

Mr Lo will be formally inducted on Friday, May 9. His wife hopes to attend.

Reverend Brian Wilcox, rector of Uckfield, said: "His warm smile and gentle manner is an indication his time with us is likely to be a mutually enriching experience."