THE Right Reverend Russ Naylor has celebrated 20 glorious years of religious practice in Burtonwood.

Mr Naylor, vicar of St Michael and All Angels CE Church, was surrounded by family and friends as he marked the landmark occasion.

He invited friend and fellow clergyman David Roscoe to hold a service on the anniversary Sunday and was later treated to a buffet at the parish hall.

Mr Roscoe, who grew up in Burtonwood under the guidance of Mr Naylor, often said that he wanted to be a priest and is now vicar of St Stephen's Church in Whelley, near Wigan.

Mr Naylor said: "I invited him to come and preach in Burtonwood some time ago, but this was the only date which worked for us both and it was only afterwards that I realised it was my 20th anniversary."

The celebration was a chance for Mr Naylor to reflect on his time in the village, serving its people.

He said: "It certainly made me reflect on what a wonderful community we have here and how good-hearted people are.

"There have been hard times but it's the kind of community you would go to the ends of the Earth to keep. There is something about it, something special, and the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

"The re-opening of the church after its closure for a year and the refurbishment of the parish hall are great memories and some of the services have been brilliant.

"Another high point is the way we share with the other churches in the village, which is very important."

And there have also been personal highlights for Mr Naylor and his wife, Gill.

Mr Naylor continued: "Our daughter was born a month after we arrived and we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary three years ago.

"I remember doing a parachute jump for charity a few years ago, we had a great millennium party and in among all of that I also celebrated my 40th and 50th birthdays.

"And it's great that people get to share in that I am beginning to feel that we are all one huge family. It is a great privilege and honour, as well as being very satisfying, to be allowed to carry on for so long."