A LONG-SERVING parishioner has been awarded an honorary title to recognise his contribution to his church.

Leslie Atkinson, 82, was appointed churchwarden emeritus at St Leonard’s Church in Farlington, near Sheriff-Hutton, by the Rt Rev Martin Wallace, Bishop of Selby.

Mr Atkinson has served St Leonard’s and the Farlington community as a churchwarden for 44 years, from 1966 until his retirement last year.

The Rev Chris Ellis said: “As a churchwarden emeritus Leslie remains a member of the parochial church council and we look forward to seeing him in his usual place ringing the bells before service.”

Church council member Richard Haste said: “Everybody in the community knows Leslie well.

“He takes the collection and helps look after the churchyard, part of which is a nature reserve.

“He is a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.”