A SWANSEA vicar is hanging up his robes after 24 years in the ministry.

The Rev Canon Andrew Vessey announced to his congregation at the city's St Mary's Church that he will give his last service on August 1.

The 65-year-old said the time had come for him to stand down and let somebody younger take on the role at the busy church.

Mr Vessey said it was with deep regret that he was standing down, but he said he was looking forward to taking up some hobbies that he had neglected over the years.

In a letter to parishioners, Mr Vessey said recent illness and incapacity as well as the church's extraordinary demands required "a younger person's energy and stamina".

He said: "While I still have the imagination and will, I find it increasingly obvious I don't possess the energy and mental stamina with which I came to Swansea.

"As it stands, the job entails burning the candle at both ends, dealing with inevitable pressures while still preserving some sense of one's own spiritual journey."

Mr Vessey, who was ordained in 1986 after studying at Salisbury, Wiltshire, has worked in a number of churches in England.

But St Mary's Church, where he has been vicar for five years, is the first city place of worship he has worked at. He said: "St Mary's has the advantages of not being a cathedral but has the qualities of being a cathedral in a city.

"The fact that we sit in a lovely green area in the middle of the city centre, with Wind Street on one side and the largest indoor market in Wales on the other, is great as people can pop in to a quiet place in amongst the hustle and bustle. I will miss that.

"It is such a buzzing church with so much going on — from civic ceremonies, working with the university and prison and working with the less fortunate people that city life often brings.

"You can not think of places where you get the pleasure of working across the extremes."

The father-of-three said some of highlights included last year's festival which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the church after it was rebuilt following the World War II blitz.

Also being made an honorary canon of Brecon Cathedral at the end of January was a highlight of his career, he said.

Mr Vessey added he plans to set up a new home in Suffolk with his wife, Anna, and spend more time with his children and grandchildren after his retirement.

He also plans to spend more time gardening, walking and going back to painting, which he studied and taught for 25 years.

But he said he would still like to be involved in church life.

"There will be times where I will be able to offer my experience and time to the church in Suffolk," added Mr Vessey.