LONG-serving Leigh vicar the Rev Canon Peter Leakey preached his last sermon at Christ Church, Pennington.

Parishioners turned out in force to say goodbye to the popular vicar who has been in the pulpit for almost 20 years.

The choir sang a blessing to Peter and Diane at the end of the service and the church wardens Alan Heathcock and John Heaton did a superb impression of Laurel and Hardy before presenting the couple with a garden bench and a cheque, and curate Evan Cockshaw showed an amusing video about a day in the vicar's life.

The 66-years-old vicar, who helped the church celebrate its 150th anniversary last year, is now taking a short sabbatical at his home in Mosley Common while wife Diane continues in her job as a Leigh pharmacist.

Mr Leakey, who has a been given promise to officiate, will return to conduct services in the diocese when he is invited.

He said: "We had a wonderful 150th year and managed to some extent to achieve our aims. We have felt very much part of the church here, we will miss it, but it is time for us to move on."

The church has appointed a new youth worker, Rob Foster, to replace Craig Abbott, who has left after three years to oversee youth ministry in the Blackburn diocese.