A RECTOR who since moving to Chagford 16 years ago has described himself as 'the happiest parson in England' is hanging up his robes.

Louis Baycock, aged 67, will retire as rector of Chagford, Gidleigh and Throwleigh on January 28 after a 34-year career as a priest — but he intends to stay close to his beloved Dartmoor.

A former bank clerk in London, Mr Baycock held various ministries in Kent before the job came up at Chagford.

'I wanted to live on Dartmoor so I waited until the Chagford ministry became vacant and then went for it,' he said. 'It was my ambition and not many people in the church can say they got what they want.

'Living where I wanted to be I thought of myself as the happiest parson in England.'

Mr Baycock has been the longest serving rector of the 20th Century in the parish and as well as the place it has been the people and the enormous scope of work that has kept him there.

'The people are absolutely wonderful — they really care about each other and I have had three lovely churches which are very much part of the community,' he said.

'I have always been a no-gimmicks, old fashioned parish priest who believes that the church is in the business of love and enabling rather than putting up hurdles for people to jump over.'

Having served as a chairman of governors at the 'marvellous' Chagford Primary School, Mr Baycock also formed Chagford Education and Leisure Trust to save the dilapidated adult education centre.

Following time off after a triple heart bypass in August, the rector has returned to his post briefly to serve out his last two week and say his goodbyes to his congregation.

He said 67 was a good time to retire and he was looking forward to spending more time walking on Dartmoor.