A DEDICATED church-goer has received a prestigious award for his contribution to church life in Worcestershire.

Peter Seward, who lives in Little Comberton, near Pershore, is this year's recipient of the Wulfstan Cross, an award which pays tribute to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the church in the Diocese of Worcester.

Mr Seward, who regularly attends Little Comberton Church, has worked in various roles in the Diocese since 1989 after retiring as a chartered accountant and tax partner.

He said: “I am very humbled to have been awarded the Wulfstan Cross. I’m sure there are many more worthy people than me, but I’ve done my best in the roles I’ve taken on. Over the years I’ve met a lot of lovely people that I wouldn’t otherwise have met and have enjoyed doing things for the benefit of the church.

"I have been helped and supported by Stephen Lindler, Marion and other staff at the Diocesan Office.”

Mr Seward has served on the Diocesan Resources Board, the Audit Committee, as chairman of the Investment and Glebe Committee and as vice chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd.

He was also Honorary Treasurer of the Three Choirs Festival and Society from 1972 until last year.

Mr Seward has also been a churchwarden at Little Comberton Church for around ten years and continues to be a member of the Parochial Church Council.

Bishop John, who will present the award in Worcester Cathedral in September, said: “This is a very well deserved honour for someone who has given stalwart service to the Diocese of Worcester over very many years. The Wulfstan Cross was established to thank those who have given an exemplary service in the Diocese and there’s no doubt that Peter meets this criteria. Peter’s financial expertise has been invaluable to the Diocesan Board of Finance and I will be delighted to present this award to him.”

The award is named after St Wulfstan, who lived between 1008 and 1095. He served as Bishop of Worcester under the last two Saxon kings and the first two Norman kings.

After the Norman Conquest he was responsible for the dismantling of the old Saxon cathedral and the building of a new one, of which the crypt is the main part still surviving today.