Church official taking characters from Essex to Norfolk (6)
I believe the answer is:
sexton
'church official' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'characters from essex to norfolk' is the wordplay.
'characters from' indicates a hidden word.
'SEXTON' is hidden within 'essex to norfolk'.
'taking' acts as a 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" .)