EASTER will see a familiar face disappear from St Laurence Church in Ludlow.

Shaun Ward is stepping down after many years of being in charge of music at the church and also leading the project for the refurbishment of the historic building.

Brought up on a council estate in Bristol he became interested in music through his local church and this led to a scholarship.

He has brought a number of innovations to St Laurence Church including a summer festival of classical music.

It is not known if this will take place this summer.

Mr Ward has been driven to drink in that he has set up a business making gin that has taken off to such an extent that it is now taking up so much of his time that he has decided to leave the church.