The Rev Ray Adams, deputy general secretary of the United Reformed Church, is to leave his post to minister to three churches in North London.

They are at Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill and Ponders End, all in the London Borough of Enfield and in the Church's Thames North Synod.

He has previously served as a synod moderator and as a missionary in Taiwan with the Council for World Mission.

Now, as he approaches the age of 60, Rev Adams is choosing to return to a local pastorate for his final years of ministry.

"In fourteen years as synod moderator and deputy general secretary, I have been privileged to drop in and out of many local communities," he said. "In the years I have left, I want to be more deeply involved in a local area, helping local churches 'equip the saints' for new forms of ministry, and participate with them in the mission opportunities and challenges they are facing."

The appointment requires the concurrence of the Church's local area committee but is expected to be from January next year.