AN Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral and former Colne vicar has died aged 89.

Canon Gordon Bellinger has been a Church of England priest in Lancashire for 65 years.

The Archdeacon of Blackburn, the Ven. Mark Ireland, said he had been 'fine pastor' and 'great encourager of others'.

Canon Bellinger also held the position of Burnley Deanery Youth Chaplain from 1959 until 1967.

He served as the Retired Clergy Officer from 1994 until 2002 and had 'Permission to Officiate' and hold services following his retirement in 1993.

Married to Sheila, Canon Bellinger retired to Garstang in 1993 and served all his 65 years of ministry in the Diocese of Blackburn.

Ordained in 1953, he served as a curate at Ribbleton St Mary Magdalene and then Lancaster Priory (St Mary).

Canon Bellinger became Vicar of Holy Trinity Parish on Colne Holy Trinity in 1958 for 10 years.

He then served as Vicar at Scotforth St Paul for 25 years from 1968 until his retirement to Garstang in 1993.

Canon Bellinger also held the position of Burnley Deanery Youth Chaplain from 1959 until 1967 and Rural Dean of Lancaster from 1982 until 1989.

He leaves his wife Sheila, daughters Alison and Rosemary, their husbands and four grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place at St Paul’s Church, Scotforth, at 1.30pm on Tuesday July 31 followed by cremation at Lancaster Crematorium.

The Ven. Mark Ireland, who remembers Canon Bellinger from their time together as curates together at Lancaster Priory in the 1980s, said: “Gordon was a great encourager of the ministry of others, including my own.

"I remember him most of all as a fine pastor; one who loved God and loved people and who, by faithful pastoral care, built up a very large and thriving congregation comprising members of all ages.

"He and Sheila were a great team, who have impacted for good on the lives of so many.”

The Archdeacon of Lancaster, the Ven. Michael Everitt, said: “Gordon’s long ministry in the Diocese transformed the lives of many people over the years, both in the parishes he served, in Colne and Scotforth, and in the many clergy he trained and helped.

“I always valued his wisdom, his prayerfulness, and above all his encouraging smile – may he rest in peace.”