A FIGURE at the heart of the community is retiring from service after more than three decades.

Reverend Malcolm Bristow, of Ladybridge, has spent 32 years celebrating the most important life events with the congregation of St Bede's Church in Morris Green.

Ahead of his 70th birthday on Wednesday, Mr Bristow has announced his retirement.

He said: "I have been there since 1988 but as ordained ministers we have to retire at the age of 70. I'll be retiring on my birthday — it's a really strange feeling after all these years."

Reverend Bristow is now looking back on a lifetime spent working in the community.

He said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to serve fellow people of Bolton and to be there in all sorts of situations in someone's life.

"I have been doing the full lot: baptisms, funerals, weddings. Times of great rejoicing and times of great sorrow.

"The people in the parish have been so wonderful and supportive, they are a really nice group of people.

The minister says he has learned from people of all faiths, and those without, during his time as a Church of England leader.

Reverend Bristow said: "We are all unique, everybody should be valued. There is too much disposing of people in this day and age — we are all human beings, we are all individuals, we should be giving each other respect."

The church leader will not be away for long, he says.

Revered Bristow will be returning in the coming months to help out at St Bede's.