THE Vicar of Radcliffe Parish Church is waving a temporary goodbye to the town and heading off to Brazil.

The Rev Bryan Hackett is to spend two months in Salvador de Bahia as part of a sabbatical.

But prior to that he will spend next month on retreat at St Beuno's, a Jesuit retreat centre near St Asaph in North Wales.

"A clergy sabbatical is a period out of the usual place of ministry, in order to further develop the minister's own ministry, for refreshment and renewal, and to allow space for reflection," explained Rev Hackett.

It was after discussion with the Bishop of Bolton that he decided to take a sabbatical, eight years after he was first ordained.

"Salvador de Bahia is the great cultural melting pot of Brazil, where over the last five centuries the mixture of indigenous, Portuguese and African culture has produced a vibrant city, with lively churches and varieties of Christianity," said Rev Hackett.

He is already in contact with the country's Anglican church and intends to carry out a wide variety of pastoral work.

In his absence visiting clergy will perform all the usual services at the Tithebarn Street church.