A DEPARTING church warden was presented with a special cake as well as a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her time serving a Barbourne church.

Janet Peplow retired as churchwarden of St George's Church, St George's Square, Worcester, after 14 years.

However, she will continue to manage the church's Magdalene Room and act as a verger.

The cake and gifts were presented after the confirmation service for eight candidates - with an age gap of 58 years - from both St George's and St John Baptist Church, Claines.

The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd Dr John Inge, led the confirmation while singers and musicians from both churches played hymns and worship songs chosen by the candidates.

Among the eight were Gemma and Steve Preece, also from Barbourne, who will take over the churchwarden role once they have been sworn in on Tuesday, June 2 at a special service in Evesham.

The youngest person being confirmed on Sunday was 24 while the eldest was 82.

Confirmed alongside Mr and Mrs Preece, were Drusilla Sefton, Jo Siddles, Bernard Small, Beryl Smith, Claire Summers and Rebeca Townley.

They have been following the Pilgrim Course to prepare for the special day.

Rev Jo Musson, vicar of both Claines and St George's churches said: "It was a really moving service, several of the candidates spoke personally of how their faith has inspired them and given them confidence.

"One of the candidates told me how confirmation was an opportunity to say for himself the promises made on his behalf by his godparents at his christening."