THE MAN who has done more than most to help shape the future of a 450-year-old Accrington church is making his plans to leave the parish.

The Rev Fred Cooke is leaving St James Church in the year it celebrates its anniversary with a series of exhibitions based on the theme of past and present.

Mr Cooke came to East Lancashire in 1990 after spending six years working in a college in Borneo.

And in his time as Rector of Accrington he has overseen the £200,000 refurbishment of the medieval church.

He was also made the chairman of the non profit making company which runs Hyndburn's shelter for the homeless the Christian Stable.

Fred Cooke, 60, has been in charge of five parishes in Accrington, but he has decided the time is ripe to move and make way for a younger man. He will be moving to a parish in his home city of Manchester with his wife, Helen, later this year.

He said: "You could say Accrington has been just as exciting as Borneo, there is always something going on in the town.

"When I first arrived here I never expected to be made the chairman of a limited company.

"I have really enjoyed my time in Accrington, but it is time to move on and make way for someone with fresh ideas and energy."

Local children are being invited to take part in the current exhibition at the church and their work will go on display at St James.

Work on the theme of the history of Accrington town centre should be done on A3 or A4 and mounted ready for the exhibition.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph is backing the competition and there is £140-worth of prize money on offer to the winners and runners up in four separate age groups.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.