THE vicar at St Peter’s Church, Darwen, has announced he is leaving.

The Rev Andrew Holliday joined as team rector in 2004 and has led a £250,000 fundraising campaign to repair the church roof and efforts to create a new unity chapel window.

He has been appointed rector of St Wilfrid’s Church, Standish, near Wigan, and will be inducted in November. His replacement at Darwen has not been announced.

He said: “It has been one of the hardest decisions of my priestly ministry but when God calls, we must be discerning for where he is calling.

“There will be plenty of time to reflect on the experiences of Darwen, which have been many and varied, before I leave, but suffice to say I am sad to be going but in the right sense, I look forward to the challenge that awaits me.” Mr Holliday worked as one of six head waiters at Claridge’s in London before becoming a vicar. He attended theological college in Oxford and was ordained in 1992.

His first post was in Blackpool where he did three years training, before moving to Poulton where he met his wife Vanessa. He joined St Peter’s following seven years as vicar of St James’ in Leyland.