A VICAR who once rode a horse up Roseberry Topping is retiring from the ministry after 40 years.

The Rev Phillip Bishop, rector of St Nicholas' Church in Guisborough, is hanging up his dog collar after a career that has taken him from factory floors to the pulpit at York Minster.

Mr Bishop, originally from London, trained at the capital's King's College before being appointed an assistant curate near Wolverhampton.

He then took up posts in Middlesbrough and Stepney, in London's East End, before joining the industrial mission in Sheffield.

With the backing of management and the trade unions, he provided spiritual advice in factories and offices for nine years.

He was then a vicar at Great Ayton between 1982 and 1989 before moving to Guisborough, where he has been rector for the past 18 years.

He learned to ride while at Great Ayton, and rode his horse, Mayday, to the top of Roseberry Topping while raising £500 for the church coffers.

Other highlights during his 40-year career include preaching in front of a 1,000-strong congregation at York Minster and being ordained a deacon, curate and priest.

He set up a children's holiday club for more than 100 youngsters, organised an exchange visit to East Germany and led two parish excursions to the Holy Land.

His final service will be held at St Nicholas' on Sunday, May 18, at 10.30am, followed by a farewell lunch.

Mr Bishop will move to Hartburn, near Stockton, with his wife Julie, a retired teacher, and plans to spend his time walking, reading, doing woodwork and enjoying visits from sons Nicholas, Andrew and Tim.