Les Harman preached his last sermon on Sunday and a leaving do was thrown by parishioners and important figures in the town at St John the Baptist.

The life-long Liverpool FC fan was presented with a personalised shirt emblazoned with his name and the number 11 - signed by the club’s legendary shot stopper Ray Clemence.

For the retiring reverend’s benefit the choir also performed the red’s anthem - You’ll Never Walk Alone - at the end of his final service.

Mr Harman retires after serving the town for 16 years and will head off to Kingsteignton, Devon, in a few weeks with his wife Jeni.

He said: “It was lovely, it was a really nice surprise to see so many there - it was excellent.

“We were both overwhelmed by the number of people and good wishes, as well as the things they gave us.

“I thank everyone for all the wishes Royston has made a deep impression and we wont forget it.”

Prolific campaigner Terry Hutt attended the send off along with members of the town council - including Royston’s mayor, Rob Inwood.

Mr Hutt said: “It was more like a wedding there was so many people there and there was so much food you could have fed the 5,000.”