A VICAR who has served the community for more than five years is to retire.

Reverend Noel Carter has been the mission area leader of Aberconwy since it was created in 2016. Prior to this, he was the Rector of Rhos Cystennin and Area Dean of Llanrhos.

Mr Carter, who is married to Wendy, will retire at the end of February.

The Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Ven Andy Grimwood, said: "Noel has been a well-loved figure at Ysgol Bodafon, serving as chair of governors, and has done fantastic work in shaping the churches of Llandudno to face the challenges of the 2020s, leaving the churches in a great place to face the future.

"His mix of humour, gentleness and determination makes him a popular figure around the town.

“We thank Noel for his work across the diocese since he moved to Wales in 2005 to take up the post of Priest in Brymbo and Southsea near Wrexham and wish him and his wife, Wendy, every success in their retirement."

Mr Carter and his wife have four children and three grandchildren.

He was born in Chester, but spent most of his childhood on the Wirral.

He went to Wirral Grammar School and then on to study geological sciences at Birmingham University.