TRIBUTES were paid to the work and faith of the late Canon Brian Robinson, Vicar of Hollinfare and Glazebury, at a thanksgiving service for his life at Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday.

They were led by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones and the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev David Jennings.

The former Archdeacon of Warrington, the Ven David Woodhouse, was among the speakers and the Rev Pat Gray, non-stipendiary minister at Hollinfare and Glazebury, read from the New Testament.

The service, attended by more than 350 friends, followed a private funeral at Southport.

A retiring collection was held in aid of the cathedral centenary fund and the Mothers' Union movement in the diocese.

Canon Robinson, who was 64, died while on holiday in Greece with his wife Jen, on May 18.

He came to St Helen, Hollinfare, and All Saints, Glazebury in October 2001, when he was also appointed the diocesan advisor on rural issues.

Canon Robinson had worked in seven parishes in the Liverpool diocese and one at Blackburn.

He was area dean in Widnes from 1995 and became an honorary canon a year later.

Pat Gray was ordained in a ceremony at the cathedral on Sunday.