TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'much-loved' vicar who worked in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and survived war zones.

Rev Andy McMullon was the vicar of Sedbergh and Lune from 2013 until 2020 and was instrumental in shaping the Western Dales Mission Community.

Originally from Preston, Mr McMullon had spent over 20 years serving as a chaplain in the RAF.

He died on June 30 at the age of 67.

Revd Andy Burgess, Western Dales Mission Community Leader and Vicar to the Benefice of the Western Dales, said he is 'thankful' for his years of ministry as Vicar of Sedbergh.

He said: "He was much loved and the church community is feeling the loss immensely. He oversaw a number of important developments in the Parish and the Mission Community. After a spell abroad, he had recently retired to the area, and was beginning to be involved in pastoral work again.

"He is now with his Lord, whom he faithfully served for many years, and we are holding his wife and children in our prayers at this time."

Rt Rev James Newcome, the Bishop of Carlisle, said: "I have learned with great sadness of the death of the Rev Andrew McMullon, and my prayers and thoughts are with all of his family at this time and over the coming months.

"It was a joy and privilege to work with Andrew during his time as Vicar of Sedbergh and Lune, and he was a leading light in the creation of the Western Dales Mission Community.

"He embraced the opportunity to work ecumenically, drawing alongside colleagues from other denominations as together they looked to reach out missionally in new and exciting ways. He left the Diocese of Carlisle in 2020 but had recently returned to live here, and his years in ministry in Cumbria have provided solid foundations on which others continue to build God’s Kingdom."

To pay your condolences visit https://www.westerndales.org.uk/articles/andy-mcmullon-condolences