A RIBBLE Valley clergyman is making ‘slow but steady progress’ after undergoing an emergency triple heart bypass.

The Rev George Derby, who is in charge of St Andrew’s Church in Slaidburn, was admitted to hospital in November for a check-up for suspected angina.

After undergoing scans at Royal Blackburn Hospital, he was transferred to Blackpool to have the surgery.

His wife, Pauline, said: “He is making slow but steady progress. He will not be back at work before the end of March.”