Hethersett and the Meltons said farewell to their rector The Rev Di Lammas with a special sung eucharist service in St Remigius Church, Hethersett.

The Rev Lammas is retiring after 17 years in Norfolk and in her final sermon looked back on the day 33 years previously when she had been made a Deaconess in Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire.

The Hethersett service featured some of her favourite hymns and readings, along with communion and a blessing from the congregation to the Rector.

One of her final official duties was to accept a cheque from the summer's flower festival in St Remigius' Church. The event, which had an Olympic theme, raised �4,300 towards the �93,000 urgently needed to repair the church roof. The presentation was made by festival organisers Adele Kent and Monica Moore.

The Eucharist service concluded with a spontaneous round of applause and three cheers from the congregation of over 200 people representing Hethersett, Great Melton and Little Melton. Afterwards there was a celebration lunch where Margaret Waller, churchwarden of Little Melton Parish Church, led the accolades to the Rev Lammas.

'The seventeen years have seen some good times but also some difficult times, but today we are here to celebrate. Di always helped people with a need and her services were always special.

'We will always remember her turning up to events laden with cakes which she had baked at the rectory. We will miss what have become known as the rectory cakes,' Mrs Waller said before presenting the Rev Lammas with a cheque from the three parishes which she will use to buy a greenhouse for her retirement home in Pakefield.

'It has been such a privilege for me to work in the three parishes. I would like to thank everyone for their love and support over so many years,' Rev Lammas said.