A clergyman who dedicated much of his life to serving the Diocese of Worcester has died.

Canon Bertie Webb spent 35 years as a Worcestershire vicar and continued to help the church after his retirement including in a new role as a silversmith.

A Requiem Eucharist is set to be held at 2pm tomorrow at Worcester Cathedral.

Canon Webb, aged 85, was born Albert Webb, but known always as Bertie, in 1923 and grew up in Manchester.

He spent a year at the city's university before joining the war effort as a navigator in Bomber Command for the RAF, later becoming a navigator instructor.

After the Second World War ended, he trained as a priest at King's College, London, and daughter Mary Webb said: "It was a big change of course for him.

"The effects of war made him think about changing direction I think."

In 1950 he married Jane Braley at Worcester Cathedral and was a curate at Southwell Cathedral in Nottinghamshire before taking the post of vicar of Cleeve Prior, near Evesham in 1952.

The couple also had three children Simon, now aged 56, Mary, aged 54, and Clare, aged 45.

The family moved when he became vicar of Holy Innocents in Kidderminster in 1959 until 1966 when he was made vicar of Evesham, a post he held until his retirement in 1987.

In 1975, he was given the title of honorary canon of Worcester and on his retirement, he became an Emeritus canon.

Canon Webb then moved to St John's in Worcester but continued to minister, as he was often called to cover for absent clergy.

He also trained as a silversmith and repaired much of the silver in churches around the diocese and was a keen member of the St John's bellringers at St John in Bedwardine church.

However, failing health and Parkinson's disease forced him to give up his hobbies during the last five years.

Ms Webb said: "He touched many people's lives. I think he was very supportive to lots of young people coming through the church.

"He had a good sense of humour and enjoyed life."

He died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Wednesday, April 9.