A church minister’s retirement plans were hit by sadness when his wife died just days before he was due to conduct his final service.

Revd Clive Jones, who served at Halstead Baptist Church for seven years, first announced his retirement about 18 months ago and he and wife Christine were said to be excited about entering the next chapter in their lives.

But a farewell service on Easter Sunday to mark the end of his ministry was cancelled when Christine’s health deteriorated rapidly and she was admitted to St Helena Hospice, where she sadly died last on March 26.

Christine, 64, had been diagnosed with cancer in November.