Church official taking characters from Essex to Norfolk (6)
I believe the answer is:
sexton
'church official' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'characters from essex to norfolk' is the wordplay.
'characters from' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'SEXTON' can be found hidden inside 'essex to norfolk'.
'taking' is the link.
(Other definitions for sexton that I've seen before include "He arranges the grave" , "Person who tends a church and churchyard" , "Graveyard employee" , "Church official" , "Church functionary" .)