THE leader of the Salvation Army is Great Yarmouth is bidding a fond farewell to the town as he prepares for his new ministry.Captain Nigel Byrne is moving to South Wales next week after five happy and successful years in Yarmouth.

THE leader of the Salvation Army is Great Yarmouth is bidding a fond farewell to the town as he prepares for his new ministry.

Captain Nigel Byrne is moving to South Wales next week after five happy and successful years in Yarmouth.

Now as he prepares to move on Nigel, 39, can look back with fondness on his first ministry in the church.

During that time he has overseen a large growth in the congregation and the Salvation Army's charitable work.

He said: “I had no connection with Yarmouth before and could not even place it on a map. Everyone here was very welcoming and I was made very much at home, although I'm told I would have to be here 20 years to call myself a local.

“The congregation has increased from around 30 to 80 at time when most churches are in decline.

“I have tried to raise the profile of the Salvation Army which does a tremendous amount of outreach work.

“We hand out over 300 food parcels and dozens of sleeping bags to rough sleepers in the town every.

He added: “You have to be prepared to take your share of knocks - I have seen all sorts of things in my time here.”

Previously a manager at a London Teaching Hospital, Nigel is taking up the leadership of the Cwmbran Salvation Army church.

He will be replaced by lieutenants Georgina and Rob Symons inducted who will be inducted into the church at a special service at the Salvation Army Citadel next Sunday.

This will be the Symons' first appointment since graduating from The Salvation Army's theological college this summer.