AFTER 16 years serving the congregation of St Law-rence's Church in Lechlade, the Rev Stephen Parsons is leaving the parish to head north.

Mr Parsons, 57, will give his final sermon on August 10.

He will then be off to Edin-burgh to become rector of an Episcopal Church. He has written three books about the church but has plans to write one more.

He said: "I want to write about why, at a time when the Government and society are seeking to show tolerance and understanding to minority groups such as homosexuals, the Church appears to be judgmental and condemnatory. "The church appears to be acting out an age-old desire to scapegoat."

Mr Parsons is now looking forward to his new challenge.

He said: "Edinburgh is an exciting city and it's a church which seems to have a very lively education programme and I'm hoping to get involved with various things."

During his time in Lech-lade, he has seen the town grow, and the church's restoration has led to parishioners helping raise and spend £400,000.

He added: "I'm going to miss it very much."