A FAREWELL service was held by Rev Nigel Thomas on Sunday after five years of looking after the flock at Low Bentham Parish Church.

Extra chairs were brought in for the packed service, and the congregation included the mayor of Bentham, Coun Bernie Wills and his consort, Rachel Faraday.

The service was followed by a picnic in the grounds of Sedbergh Junior School.

Lay reader Stephen Dawson said: "One of Nigel's many gifts was to make people of all ages feel called and valued."

Mr Thomas has taken up a new position in the parish of Wadebridge, in the Diocese of Truro