A METHODIST minister who received the calling while serving in the RAF has just celebrated 60 years of preaching.

Reverend Derek Lund, 82, was in the RAF for three years, and later minister for nine years at Brayton Methodist Church.

He said: "I could have quite easily made the RAF my career, but decided to become a minister."

On leaving school in Halifax, where he was born, he worked as a costing clerk in a worsted spinning mill.

In 1957, he started three years’ training at Headingley College for the ministry, followed by a further three years as a trainee at Brighouse Methodist Church.

After being ordained in 1968 at the Wesleys Methodist Chapel in London, he served as minister at various churches around Yorkshire including Wensleydale, Middleham, Driffield, Hutton Cranswick, Osset and Normanton.

Although he retired 20 years ago, Rev Lund still preaches at the church and other churches around the circuit.

Now a supernumery minister, he regularly preaches at chapels in the Selby and Goole circuit.

When not preaching, he attends Brayton Methodist Church with his wife of 56 years, Kathleen, a retired nurse who is also a local preacher.

On occasions when there is no organist, he also plays the organ and a dual role as minister and organist.

He said: "I’ve really enjoyed my time as a minister."

A well-attended service and lunch was held at Brayton to celebrate his service to the church.