Farewell to the 'bishop'

The Rev Kevin Arkell, vicar of St Peter's Church, Darwen, and St Paul's, Hoddlesden, will hold his final service on August 16, before heading down south to All Saints' Church, Southbourne, later that month.

Mr Arkell said: "I will miss the people most of all. It's the congregation that makes the ministry and they have been fantastic."

Mr Arkell, 49, became rural dean of Darwen and Blackburn in 1998 and has had an overseeing role for the past six years.

He moved to the area in 1979 when he took on a role of social responsibility in the Blackburn diocese.

The Rev Andrew Raynes, of Christ Church, Blackburn, the area dean's deputy, said: "Kevin will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. He was involved in all areas of the community and he worked so hard as the area dean."

Mr Arkell is moving nearer his two daughters -- 19-year-old Catherine, who is studying at Portsmouth University, and Jennifer, 21, an administrator at Reading University.

He said: "I'm originally from Portsmouth and I've been away for 15 years now so it will be nice to spend time nearer to the family."

His wife, Hilda, has taken up a teaching post in the city.

The congregation at St Peter's has grown under the Mr Arkell's time and the church has seen more than £250,000 worth of repairs.

He said: "We now have a partnership with English Heritage which has attracted a lot of funding. It was very hard to get because they don't give money away but now the church is looking in good shape."

John East, United Reformed church spokesman, said: "He has become like the unofficial Bishop of Darwen and will be missed."

Mildred Riley, former church committee member and Mothers' Union, said: "He will be missed as a person and as a vicar. He is a very knowledgable man and he has attracted a lot of funding and he really encourages people to attend church."

St Peter's currently gets about 70 people for the Sunday morning service, 150 for the family service.