IT was in November 1992 that Rev Dermot Thornberry was ordained during the South African Methodist Conference taking place in Durban that year.

Now based at Patcham Methodist Church, Rev Thornberry has celebrated 25 years of ordained ministry with family and friends.

During the service there were messages from the three continents where Rev Thornberry has worked with the American message being a film clip.

The messages spoke of fond memories and what his ministry had meant to others.

His two churches presented gifts in honour of the occasion.

Close family attended along with members of his second church in Stanford Avenue and invited guests from his past churches.

Also present were Merrill and Paul Hicks. who were at his ordination in South Africa in 1992.

The choir sang the theme tune to The Vicar of Dibley.