THE congregation of a Walton church bid an emotional farewell to their vicar of 15 years after his last service on Easter Sunday.

The Rev John Harries, who has also been the chaplain of Sir Thomas Boteler High School for 13 years, will be leaving St John's Church to move to Sutton, close to Macclesfield, with his wife Judith.

He arrived to the town in 1990 following his stay in Manchester but the move to Warrington gave the 55-year-old a sense of returning where he belonged.

"It was my first post after my curacy at St George’s, in Hyde, and I was both excited and anxious at the prospect," he said.

"There was a sense of returning home for I had spent many happy years at the Daresbury Laboratory prior to my calling to the ministry.

"But I also felt a closeness with the community of St John’s as if they were an extension of my natural family - indeed, over the years, that bond has grown and deepened as together we have journeyed with the Lord."

With a new chapter set to begin for the Mr Harries, he admitted his time in the role will never be forgotten.

He added: "I would say I feel like a child leaving home for the first time, scared and excited once again.

"But I am also secure in the knowledge that we are part of a family, who will continue to support and pray for us as we move on.

"There are ties that can’t be broken, shared experiences that forever bind us together - their love is written indelibly on our hearts."

The congregation thanked Mr Harries for his time in the role and commitment to the position.

A statement said: "We have much to thank them them both - John's ministry has been very special, particularly his passion for the 'Good News of the Gospel' which he shared with us.

"And his vision from which helped grow the Bridgewater Youth Project and also Judith's work among our young families."