A VILLAGE is mourning its former parish priest who died less than two years into his retirement.

Rev Preb Robert Horsfield spent 22 years at St Mary's Church in Cleobury Mortimer until 2001 when he moved to Wales with his wife Freda.

Mr Horsfield - who was 64 - was well known and well liked in the village, said friend and church warden Elizabeth Burton.

"People are very sad to hear this," she said. "He's had such a short retirement and he worked so hard when he was here."

She added: "Everybody was very fond of him."

Mr Horsfield, who was ordained in 1963, co-ordinated fundraising to repair the church spire during his tenure and took special pride in securing membership for St Mary's in the exclusive Clochers Tours d'Europe club for churches with twisted spires.

"He was enthusiastic and he encouraged other people," said Mrs Burton. "He was a quiet man but he was always listening.

"He was always prepared to listen to you and give a considered opinion."

She added: "He was our parish priest and he was a very caring parish priest."

Mr Horsfield's funeral took place on Friday in Llandrindod Wells. He leaves two daughters, Ruth and Catherine, and a son Daniel as well as his wife.

St Mary's, which has been without a rector since December, is due to welcome Ashley Buck in July.