Ms Hodges will leave the area on September 24 to take on the role of team rector in Guildford.

She moved to Mildenhall from Sutton, in Surrey, to serve as team vicar of Beck Row, Eriswell and Icklingham. For the last year, she has taken on responsibility for all 11 churches in the team.

Ms Hodges, 53, said this had been an interesting challenge and she would be sad to leave her parishioners behind.

"I felt I had done whatever I could have done here and it was time to move on, but I have had a really blessed time.

"I really have met some wonderful people, people that I will remember wherever I go. The team would not have been able to hold together without the help of these people."

During her time, Eriswell Church has seen a new aisle carpet laid and a modern heating system installed.

A service was held on Sunday at St Laurence and St Peter's, in Eriswell, attended by around 300 people, for churchgoers and the community to show their appreciation for Ms Hodges.

Archdeacon John Cox and Bishop Tom Burton from America attended the service. The service was followed by a lunch at the village reading rooms.

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