A CLERGYMAN who once worked as a bus conductor has just celebrated 50 years in the church.

Canon Howard Garside marked the occasion by inviting former colleagues and friends to a communion service at Winksley Parish Church near his home in Ripon.

He recalled his time as a conductor on the Waterloo-Outlane route in Huddersfield.

Canon Garside, who has been married to wife Joyce for 51 years, is an honorary canon at Ripon Cathedral.

Since retiring as a full-time vicar, serving in Barnsley and Middlesbrough, Canon Garside has preached regularly in the scattered Fountains Group of Parishes, near Ripon.

More than 100 people attended the service of celebration at Winksley, including his wife, daughter Dr Susan Benbow and his son Stephen.

The congregation also included former Bishop of Knaresborough the Right Reverend Ralph Emmerson and the retired Archdeacon of Richmond the Venerable Norman McDermid.