The Rev Marie Teare, whose patch includes Wetwang, Sledmere and Fridaythorpe, told readers of the Parish Magazine: "As most of you know by now, I have decided to retire to enable Roger and I to move closer to our son-in-law and grandchildren.

"We will be leaving in August to move to the house in a village north of York where we lived when our children were small.

"So, although we will be sad to move from the Waggoners' benefice we feel that we are actually going home."

She added: "Many clergy when due to retire have told me that they don't feel that they have any roots, any home base. They have spent their lives going from parish to parish as they felt God's call. Roger and I have also moved frequently, firstly with Roger's work and latterly with mine but we have always been drawn back to Huby.

"We have never lost touch with friends there and we have always planned to retire there - although obviously not in these circumstances.

"Now I truly feel that God is calling us back there and I am sure that when the time is right he will provide an opportunity for me to do his will in whatever form that takes."

The benefice curate, Sarah Walsh, is also on the move - to Sheffield in June.