AFTER a long career of tending to the spiritual needs of the men and women who help keep the region on the move, John Riley has retired.

For 26 years he has been the railway industry chaplain in York, working from his mission at the city's station.

He has been lending a sympathetic ear and listening to the problems of a generation of railway men and women.

His duties have sometimes been traumatic, particularly in the aftermath of the Selby disaster of two years ago.

A spokesman for GNER, which provided his office at the station, said yesterday: "John has been a familiar face for many railway employees and has always been cheerful and helpful.

"He will be sorely missed and on behalf of all the railway we would like to wish him a long and happy retirement."