THE vicar of St John the Baptist Church is leaving his flock and heading for Chelmsford.

The Rev Simon Pothen, 46, vicar at the church at the top of Pinner's High Street is leaving to be the new Canon Precentor of Chelmsford Cathedral.

Rev Pothen, vicar at the church for the last five years, said: "It has been one of the hardest decisions of my life really, because we have been so happy here."

He will perform his last service on July 29 and said: "I will miss Pinner itself, the music, working with people like Michael Turvey and the other staff. It has been a very good partnership."

Rev Pothen will take responsibility for the liturgy of the cathedral and the structure of all services.

He said: "I have been a parish priest for 20 years, so maybe it is time to look at another form of ministry."

He added that the move to Chelmsford Cathedral was an opportunity to be part of the cathedral staff and encourage the music, the choir and be solely responsible for the worship at the cathedral.

Rev Pothen, an Oxford graduate, takes over as residentiary canon from the Rev Canon Dr Genny Tunbridge, now vicar of All Saints, Gosforth, Newcastle.

He is married to Deborah, a deputy headteacher, and they have five children.

The new Precentor takes up his new duties in the autumn and will be inducted at the Cathedral on September 15 by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev John Gladwin and installed by the Dean, the Very Rev Peter Judd.