RESPECTED musician James Lancelot has announced his retirement as master of choristers and organist at Durham Cathedral.

After 32 years leading musical life at the cathedral, Mr Lancelot has revealed he is to step down in August.

The former King's College Cambridge scholar, who sang as chorister at Sir Winston Churchill's funeral at St Paul's, arrived in Durham in 1985 to succeed Richard Lloyd.

As well as performing at cathedral services, he led the choir on tours of Brazil, the United States, and Europe and founded the Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers.

During his tenure, Durham Cathedral choir admitted its first girl choristers in 2009.

Mr Lancelot said: “It has been a privilege beyond words to serve for over thirty years in this community and in this building which is so transcendent and so greatly loved.

"My wife Sylvia and I shall miss Durham enormously, but it is time for somebody else with faith, vision and energy to take forward the wonderful musical tradition of this place.

"For ourselves, there will be new surroundings to explore and doubtless more music to make; as well as a few further months to enjoy here.”