A "GENTLE" and "inspirational" clergyman who served across Worcestershire has died at the age of 92.

The Rev Canon Noel Panter served a long ministry in the diocese of Worcester and took a great interest in his colleagues.

"He was always so courteous and I remember him as a scholarly and gentle man," said the Rev Canon Bertie Webb, who knew him when he was Rural Dean of Kidderminster,

"He inspired wonderful clergy picnics on the Clent Hills and took a keen pastoral interest in the curates and their wives.

"He encouraged many initiatives in the deanery and he had a quiet determination to see things through."

Canon Panton - who died on Sunday, August 4, in his hometown of Ledbury - leaves his wife, May, children Christabel and Michael, three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was brought up in Far Forest, where his father was vicar, and trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

He was ordained deacon in 1933 and priested in 1934, and served his first curacy in St George's Church, Kidderminster, followed by a second curacy at St Francis' and St Christopher's, in Dudley.

He was Rector of Churchill with Blakedown between 1941 and 1968, and Rural Dean of Kidderminster from 1963 to 1968, when he was appointed Vicar of Christ Church Malvern, where he served until his retirement in 1977.

He was made an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral in 1966 and was a Warden of Readers for the northern part of the diocese.

After his retirement he assisted and worshipped at St Michael's and All Angels, in Ledbury, where his thanksgiving service will take place this Saturday at mid-day.

It will be led by the Rector of the Ledbury team, the Rev Preb. Dr Colin Beevers.

The prayers will be taken by Canon Panter's nephew, the Rev Richard Panter, Archdeacon-designate of Liverpool.