A VICAR has thanked the communities of Marston and Elsfield ahead of his farewell service to the parish after 25 years.

The Rev Tony Price has been at the helm of St Nicholas C Of E Church with his wife Dr Alison Price, his curate, since they moved to Elsfield Road in January 1991.

On Sunday, the clergyman will give his final sermon to the congregation before he retires.

Mr Price said it had been a "privilege" to be able to serve the Church and added he had many fond memories of living in the area.

The 66-year-old said: "The parish has been kind of like a family to us.

"People have shared their lives with us, happy occasions like weddings and christenings, but also sad ones like funerals.

"It's been a privilege and I will miss them a great deal."

The reverend will retire with Mrs Price to Thame where he plans on taking a six-month rest before deciding where his future lies.

Born in North London, Mr Price first came to Oxford as an undergraduate at Lincoln College.

The grandfather recalled the moment his "Christian faith was awakened".

He said: "I was between the ages of 18 to 21 and was attending St Aldates Church. I was listening to a sermon and just thought 'that's what I want to do'.

"It was a calling from God."

Mr Price was then ordained in 1979 and moved with Dr Price and his four children to Marston.

"I was delighted when I saw the advertisement in the Church Times," he added.

"I thought it would have be lovely to come back. It's a magical place. I fell in love with it."

Dr Price became a lecturer school teacher students at Oxford Brookes University and received her doctorate in early years maths education, before she decided to become ordained herself.

The couple will say goodbye to both the Marston and Elsfield congregation this weekend.

Mr Price's sermon will take place at 10am in St Nicholas Church on Sunday and the congregation is to host a barbecue before they move out of the area in August.

The grandfather added: "I have very found memories. They have both been very supportive congregations and we have made a lot of friends.

"A lot of things in our family life have taken place in this parish, our three daughters got married in St Nicholas, I married them.

"I would just like to thank everybody who has supported us. It is a very special place."