A METHODIST minister has become famous for his achievements in racing rather than religion after being asked to show off his skills at Mario Kart.

Reverend Simon Sutcliffe has starred in Nintendo's latest Wii advert with his four young children.

Simon, who lives in Crewe, said he responded to an email from Nintendo looking for ministers or vicars who enjoyed playing on the Wii.

A film crew then spent a day at Simon's home last month shooting scenes with the minister and his children George, aged 11, Sam, 9, Ellie, 7, and five-year-old Max.

The 35-year-old said: "I love the Wii. It's fantastic. The kids and I play on it together.

"Our favourite is Mario Kart but we have bowling competitions too and I usually get thrashed.

"The advert has been aired a lot in the past week. It's bizarre seeing yourself on TV, especially during the break of X Factor."

When Simon isn't playing on the Wii, he is working hard as a Pioneer Minister in Hanley.

His new job – a project called Venture FX which he has been doing since March – involves finding new ways to engage with people about the story of Jesus.

Simon, who has been a methodist minister for eight years, has previously worked in Crewe and Cheddleton.

He told The Sentinel: "The aim of the project is to engage with people who are interested in questions of faith but the church just doesn't push their buttons.

"It's not a Christian framework. Stoke-on-Trent has a huge multi-faith value and Venture FX will build on that.

"I've got five years' worth of funding to do work in Hanley with a variety of projects."

One aims to use photos of people who live in the city in everyday scenarios to tell a nativity.

Simon said: "We want to take pictures of people, for example a couple with their baby in a pushchair, convert them into 3D images and blow them up and put them on display in various public spaces during advent.

"It's about getting people to engage in a religious story but with a bit of a twist.

"I've got a few projects lined up for the next seven or eight months. The aim is to try and re-engage people with the city centre.

"A lot of good work is already going on with the Saltbox and Cross Rhythms. Venture FX will add to that."