A HUSBAND and wife who have led the churches in Foulridge and Trawden for more than ten years have retired.

The Reverend Kath Allen, who led St Michael and All Angels' Church in Foulridge for a decade, and her husband Richard, who led St Mary's Church in Trawden for 17 years, marked the end of an era with a joint celebration at the Stone Trough, Kelbrook.

Members of both churches paid tribute to the pair.

Church warden at St Michael's, Barbara Wilkinson, said Mrs Allen had taken over when the church was at rock bottom, but the congregation had grown again under her leadership.