THE former Vicar of Littlemoor has thanked the community after leaving for pastures new.

Revd Lorraine Dobbins held her last service at St Francis Church on Sunday, September 1.

She said goodbye to the church after more than 15 years and will be taking up a new post as vicar of Christ Church in Warminster, Wiltshire.

She told the Echo: “I am excited about the new role, but genuinely sad to be leaving the community of Littlemoor.

“We have just loved living there, there has never been any problems and people have been very friendly to us.”

She said there is a real sense of community in the area with residents looking out for each other.

Before joining St Francis Church, Revd Dobbins served as a curate in Bournemouth.

She has decided to take up the new post after she felt God was calling her to move on.

She added: “I have loved it there, but I believe God was saying ‘sometimes you have to let go’.”

“I’m excited by the challenge of starting my new post, but sad to be saying goodbye.”

Cllr Louie O’Leary said: “Lorraine started 15 years ago and since then she has been a school governor, youth club secretary, member of big4littlemoor and helped people on the estate both publicly and privately. As a church member and youth club chairman she will be greatly missed by me and the community and we all wish her and the family all the luck in the world.”