Norwich vicar in Ravensburger's Next Big Family Game final

Edward Carter is the vicar of St Peter Mancroft Church in the heart of Norwich.

The 56-year-old canon has been a man of the cloth for 26 years but, prior to that, was wheeling and dealing in the world of board games.

Rev Edward Carter with his prototype version of Serengeti Sanctuary (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

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That passion has recently reignited with Rev Edward reaching the final three of puzzle company Ravensburger's Next Big Family Game competition.

Rev Edward, who lives in Unthank Road, said: "I've always loved games and long before my church career began in the 1990s I tried setting up a business, making and selling games to retailers, without much success.

Rev Edward's board game is battling it out with two others from the US and Germany for a chance to have their creation published (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"The rise of crowd-funding is an exciting thing though and tempted me to have another go at it."

The name of the game by the trio is called Serengeti Sanctuary, which is competing with games by German and US creators.

The game, called Serengeti Sanctuary, uses a popular nature theme to create what Rev Edward hopes will become a new modern-day classic (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Rev Edward has been joined by his sons John, 30, and Matt, 28, who have brought their skills in marketing and graphic design as well as an upbringing steeped in games-playing.

The game uses a popular nature theme to create what they hope will become a modern classic, helped by a potential Ravensburger deal.

Rev Edward also has his two sons, John and Matt, helping him with the project (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

Rev Edward added: "It feels strange being back in the games-designing world, but exciting too.

"So much is different compared to last time, but this project seems to have hit the spot.

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The competition is being run by Multinational puzzles and games business, Ravensburger, who is on the hunt for 'The Next Big Family Game' (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

"If we land the Ravensburger deal I'll probably be preaching about miracles next Sunday."

The three designers in the final will receive support from the Ravensburger team to help reach the funding goal of 30,000 euros (£25,800). 

The designer that manages to achieve the funding goal and gain the greatest number of backers - will be published, with a guaranteed edition of 10,000 copies, including a share in net sales. 

Rev Edward said If we land the Ravensburger deal I'll probably be preaching about miracles next Sunday (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)

The winner of the competition will have their game published, first by the designer as an exclusive version for backers, then by Ravensburger as a retail version (Image: Sonya Duncan, Newsquest)