THE Rev Ian Johnson is to bid farewell to the city where he has served as one of the most senior clergymen for almost a decade.

The news that he is retiring was announced to the parochial church council last night and will come as a shock to the hundreds of people he has helped over the years.

During his time as Team Rector of Southampton, Mr Johnson has conducted hundreds of Sunday church services and countless communions, weddings and funerals.

He has also devoted much of his time to helping those in need - in particular more than 90 refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Southampton and fought to stay in the country.

Mr Johnson, who writes a weekly column for the Daily Echo, has been forced to retire earlier than he had hoped for health reasons.

He and his wife Nickie plan to move to Tiverton in Devon following his 63rd birthday in December, when he officially finishes his duties and retires from stipendiary ministry.

In his announcement last night he told colleagues: "This has not been an easy decision, but it is clearly the right one.

"Nickie and I ask for your prayers as we prepare for a new and very different life together after more than 36 years of full-time ministry ending rather sooner than we had planned."

Speaking to the Daily Echo he said that he would greatly miss Southampton and the many roles he has undertaken in the city.

He said: "I have enjoyed it tremendously - particularly the civic stuff I have been involved with, of which my last will be taking the service on Remembrance Sunday later this year.

"I think I will leave behind a happy place, a stability in the city centre clergy where my colleagues have a happy parish in which to live and work."

Paying tribute, the Bishop of Southampton, Paul Butler, said: "Ian Johnson has had an outstanding ministry as Team Rector of Southampton City Centre.

"His work for the community, and the city as a whole has been tireless and excellent."

For the full story see today's Daily Echo