A YEAR-LONG festival of church events is under threat when its vicar leaves this weekend.

After seven years as the driving force in one of the district's most creative parishes, the Rev Andrew Vessey will take his last service at St Bartholomew's Church in Areley Kings on Sunday.

Mr Vessey, 56, has been a rural dean and one of five vicars tending to 20 churches from Stourport to Tenbury.

For the past five years he has organised events at the church, many of which drew on talent in the parish.

"We've had community drama, exhibitions and organ recitals among others. We've not bought in projects but generated them ourselves."

He admits his departure will leave "quite a big hole" as a new rural dean will not be appointed until Christmas - although he will be replaced at Areley Kings - but hopes the momentum to activities will not be lost.

Mr Vessey is moving to St John's in Kidderminster - a church he admits has been wracked with "pain and anguish".

Charles Raven, who opposed the Bishop of Worcester the Rt Rev Peter Selby's support for the ordination of homosexuals, left in January.

"I'm going in as a team player with specific responsibility for St John's - a large and complex church."