AFTER eight years as vicar of South Zeal, South Tawton, Belstone and Sticklepath, Reverend Barry Woods is moving on to pastures new.

The vicar is taking up a new post in Salisbury in mid September but arrangements to replace him will not be made until after Easter next year.

In the meantime Holy Communion and Family Services will continue in the four churches wherever possible, said church warden Michael Bailey.

Mr Bailey and fellow church warden Eric Humphrys will be arranging lay readers and preachers from other areas to take the services until the new vicar is appointed.

Rev Woods was also the Rural Dean for the benefice of Okehampton for five years and an enthusiastic organiser of prayer group gatherings and encourager of chess classes in the local primary school.

Mr Bailey said everyone was sorry to see Rev Woods go as after eight years he had settled very comfortably into the area.

'He has done his very best for this area and we anticipate that he will go on to greater things,' he said.