The 62-year-old minister, who said he has met countless people from all walks of life during his 34-year ministry, was described this week as "one of the best".

The church's Clerk of Session Herbie Chambers paid tribute to Rev Porter.

He said, "The work he has done here in Dromara is incredible - he just seems to have that ability to motivate people and get things done.

"And that work was throughout the entire community - he didn't limit himself to his own flock.

"Whoever follows him will have big shoes to fill."

Rev Porter, who is married to wife Norma, said he has mixed feelings about retiring.

He said, "I am looking forward to retirement but I am also going to miss Dromara because I have always been a very active minister.

"I had hoped to stay on in Dromara until the age of 65 but have had to retire on health grounds unfortunately."

Originally from Belfast, Rev Porter worked as an electrician for ten years before becoming ordained as a minister within the Baptist Church in Downpatrick but made a move to the Presbyterian Church five years later.

Having worked in Eglish, Newmills and Newtownards, Rev Porter became minister in Dromara in 2001.

(FOR MORE ON SECOND DROMARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEE THE CHURCH FOCUS FEATURE IN THIS WEEK'S LEADER).