STAFF and patients at a Kidderminster hospice for people with life-limiting illnesses have paid tribute to a chaplain who has retired after nine years.

Rev Bob Murrin was part of the chaplaincy team at Kemp Hospice providing spiritual help to staff, volunteers, patients and their families.

A retirement party was held last month, where there was an official vote of thanks from the chairman of the trustees, Isobel Dale and a personal tribute from the Rt Rev David Stuart Walker, the Bishop of Dudley.

Mr Murrin said: "It had been an inspirational and challenging nine years in a lot of ways but, above all, it has been a privilege to work with the staff and patients at Kemp and to be part of the communities of both the Wyre Forest and Teme Valley areas."

A point-to-point jockey in his younger days, Mr Murrin plans to spend his retirement with his wife, Kate, at his home near Hay-on-Wye, where he will indulge his passion for painting.