LEADING Bolton clergyman Canon Colin Craston enjoyed one of the most memorable days of his life yesterday.

To celebrate 50 years since his ordination at Durham Cathedral the 78-year-old Canon welcomed a special visitor to Horwich's Holy Trinity Church -- the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey.

The meeting gave Canon Craston an opportunity to say hello again to an old friend he had known for many years.

The Bolton clergyman previously served as chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council until 1996 and was also a member of the General Synod.

And eight years ago, shortly before he retired as area dean and vicar of St Paul with Emmanuel, the Archbishop married Canon Craston and fellow clergy worker Brenda Fullalove at Lambeth Palace.

A packed Holy Trinity congregation heard the Archbishop stress the need to revitalise the church and bring it back into the centre of community life.

"Since the advent of Sunday trading the church has to compete with other things," he said. "It is doing this and doing it well. Things are happening and these are exciting times."

Hundreds of parishioners lined up after the service to congratulate Canon Craston and say hello to the Archbishop.

Parishioner Iris Bridge, aged 71, was moved by the service: "It was inspirational and so good to see Canon Craston being honoured. The Archbishop spoke very well and I think everyone got a lot from it."

Horwich councillors Barbara and Robert Ronson also paid tribute to Canon Craston.

"He has done a great deal of good work in Bolton and we have been lucky enough to have someone like him in Horwich," said Cllr Mrs Ronson. "This is a great occasion for the whole town and it was a fantastic service."

But the man himself admits up until very recently he was blissfully unaware of what was planned.

"My wife spoke to Mrs Carey about it and I knew nothing at all," he said. "We were sitting down with the rector of Horwich and Rivington the Rev Stephen Fletcher when he turned to my wife and said "You can't keep him in the dark any longer".

"When they told me I just couldn't believe it."

The Archbishop said he was proud to come to Bolton and wish his old friend well.

"We have been to Bolton a number of times before but never officially," he said. "We used to stop off here on our way to the Lake District and I have fond memories of the town.

"It was my pleasure to come here today to be with Canon Craston. He has not only been a shining light in the church in Bolton but throughout the whole of the Church of England and indeed he has been a great ambassador for the Anglican faith across the world."