Thaxted Parish Church has awarded Peter King the honorary title of Verger Emeritus in recognition of a lifetime’s commitment and service to the church.

Mr King was presented with a certificate to mark the occasion by Reverend Philip Tarris following the regular Sunday morning service.

After the ceremony Mr King joked that he had first come into the Church as a baby of six months old and had rarely left since!

Father Philip said: “Thaxted Church has been much the richer for the care and expertise Peter has provided over many years. His love and care for this very significant building has helped to preserve it as a place of worship for future generations.”