TWO Ribble Valley churches are preparing for the departure of their vicar.

Rev Gill Mack announced recently that she will be stepping down on in October from her positions at St John's in Hurst Green and All Hallows' in Mitton.

In a church magazine article, The Revd Geoff Dearden said: "In these rather uncertain times it seemed prudent to begin planning for an interregnum of unpredictable length; thus an Interregnum Planning Group has been drawn together.

"This is not part of the church's formal structure such as the PCC.

"Rather it is a group made up of around 16 representatives from both congregations including many of those with significant responsibilities for the running of the churches.

"The main matters with which the group has become engaged are broadly:administration, communications, mission, pastoral care, fundraising and Sunday services.

"Of course, much of the work is at an early stage and the group itself it still development; with a couple of sub groups being formed to work on specific matters.

"As the group gradually finds its feet and gets its teeth into the challenges and complexities of moving into the interregnum we are beginning to see action and decisions emerging which should help chart the way ahead and make us more ready for whatever changes may come our way."