A METHODIST church leader in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft has left to take on a more senior position.

THE Rev Paul Martin was Methodist leader for Culcheth and Glazebury and has left the village to be appointed chairman of the district for the Bolton and Rochdale District.

This is a very senior position and within the (non-hierarchical) Methodist Church is equivalent to being a bishop within the Church of England.

Chris Vobe, who went to school with Mr Martin’s son Andrew, said he had done great work with young people in the villages.

He added: “Under him, community projects by the Methodist Church flourished and initiatives to tackle problems with young people were brought forward leaps and bounds.”