Workington youngsters said goodbye to a retiring vicar who has given so much to their school at an annual harvest festival.

It was revealed in June that The Rev Canon Bryan Rowe, rector of St Michael's Church, would be leaving his role at the end of this month, 25 years after being ordained.

At St Michael's he has officiated at services, weddings, baptisms and funerals. He has worked with schools and church groups and overseen its new conference facilities.

St Michael's Nursery and Infant School pupils entertained Canon Rowe, with songs celebrating the harvest.

At the end of the festival, the children presented Canon Rowe with a hardback book of their memories of him and displayed a hand-painted banner with a goodbye message in the church.

Anne Tait, headteacher, said: "Canon Rowe will be greatly missed by the school.

"We are extremely grateful for his continuous support.

"We all have very fond memories of his school assemblies and church events which were always made interesting and fun for children and adults alike.

"The children sang a selection of songs for Harvest including Big Red Combine Harvester and Praise to the One which were particular favourites of Canon Rowe's.

"The service was very well attended by the children's families and we were overwhelmed with the generosity of parent’s food donations for North Lakes Foodbank."