A HOSPITAL doctor who has worked part-time as a vicar for the past ten years is hanging up his stethoscope to concentrate on a full-time job as a priest.

The Rev Dr Steve Benford has worked as an anaesthetist at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, while also working as vicar of St Luke's Church, in York.

He was ordained while working full-time at the hospital in 2000.

The jobs involved Dr Benford working for two days a week at the infirmary and for up to five days a week at the church.

He previously served as curate in Northallerton and Kirby Sigston.

Dr Benford, who has been appointed full-time vicar in the Parish of St Joseph the Worker, Northolt in north-west London, said he had thought "long and hard" before accepting the position, which will end his career in medicine.

He said he would be sad to leave the Friarage, where hospital managers had worked to enable him to perform both roles.

St Luke's reader Martin Sheppard said: "Steve's dual role at St Luke's and the hospital has been a very creative bit of thinking.

"Even though Steve is ending his 28-year career in medicine, we know him as a healer and a carer to his fingertips and he goes to Northolt with our thanks and our prayers."