MORE than 20 Polish Catholic priests and hundreds of UK-based Poles gathered in Kidderminster to remember a "very deeply loved" parish priest who had served the town for 10 years.

A mass was held at the Polish Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Ostra Brama in Pitt Street on Tuesday to celebrate the life of Father Jacek Trochim, who died earlier this month of natural causes. He was aged 67.

Polish Consul for the West Midlands Mike Oborski said Father Jacek had also looked after Worcester's Polish Community and had previously served as a priest in Cambridge for 20 years.

"He was one of a kind - great hearted and very deeply loved," Mr Oborski added.

"He was a super priest, devoted to his God and his parish, who cared for all of us. He transformed this parish. He had a wicked sense of humour and he was the heart and soul of every Polish occasion and function here in Kidderminster. He loved us and we loved him."

The funeral service was followed by a reception at the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Club in St George's Terrace.

Mr Oborski added: "It is impossible to think of the Polish community here in Kidderminster without our Father Jacek. We have lost a marvellous friend and a true shepherd."