A reverend has said goodbye to his congregation after almost two decades years, saying it is the “appropriate time” to move on.

The Rev Brian Davison has been a minister at Seven Kings United Free Church, Meads Lane, Seven Kings for 18 years.

The community honoured his service to the church by hosting a leaving party earlier this month,

The church is now looking for a new minister as the Rev Davison moves to Huddersfield next week with his wife Claire and their three children, where he will take the reigns at Lockwood Baptist Church.

The Rev Davison was minister at Bilborough Baptist Church, Nottingham, from 1989-1995 before coming to Seven Kings, after completing a successful and extensive education.

He says he is leaving as it is an “appropriate time”, and he will miss seeing “people grow up and go on to spread the good work of the church”.

He added: “It’s a wrench – it’s hard to say goodbye, but change is inevitable.”