The parishioners of St Laudus’ Church in Mabe have shown their thanks to the clergyman who has been leading their service for the past year.

Worshippers at the church presented Father Michael Oades and his wife Sylvia with a bouquet of flowers and a restaurant gift token following morning Eucharist.

Father Oades, who came out of retirement to take the church’s weekly services following the retirement of the previous parish priest in April 2013, was presented with his gift by churchwarden Francis Miller.

Parish administrator Rodney Holmes said: “They will be sadly missed and although living in Constantine joined in the village activities and pastoral care during the week. Sylvia even became a stalwart member of the choir.”