WHEN Father Conor packed his bags and walked out of St Mary's Church, Lowe House this week there was no announcer proclaiming he had left the building.

But given the popularity of the man they dubbed Elvis Priestly, there's a good chance a few parishioners will have been crying in the chapel as he paid his final farewells.

Father Conor Stainton-Polland has headed 10 miles up the East Lancs Road to take up a parish priest position in Leigh.

It brings to the end a stay of more than three years as priest-in-residence at the North Road church and comes nearly two years since 31-year-old Irishman was catapulted into the national spotlight by our story about his lip-curling, hip-swinging Elvis impersonation routine.

A publicity blitz followed which included major features in national newspapers and television appearances on GMTV and the Big Breakfast.

In the past 12 months things have calmed down somewhat for the ginger-haired impersonator of 'the King'. Responsibilities as his role as priest-in-residence and studying for a Phd in philosophy has meant the Elvis suit has been gathering dust in his wardrobe.

His popularity has not dimmed, particularly with his parishioners.

Before departing, Father Conor said: "I have mixed feelings about leaving really. It is a great challenge to go and be a parish priest. Lowe House has been a great home to me. St Helens has so many good, loyal, people who I've also had a great laugh with. One of the great qualities of the people in this area they will laugh with you and cry with you.

"A highlight for me will be the drama group we ran. We had about 50 or 60 people, of all ages from seven to 77. We did two productions: Snow White and the Wizard of Oz. I was director and producer, and we even managed to get Elvis on stage during Snow White".

And what of the Elvis routine? Does his new post mean he will have to retire his other identity?

"I think I'll still do it occasionally", he said. "I've had a phone-call recently asking me to perform in Liverpool. At the moment I can't but I've told them to ring me back, so who knows..."