He was Associate Priest of Derby St Alkmund and St Werburgh from 2014, Vicar-designate of the same benefice (Derby), previously Curate of Chilwell 1996-2000 (Southwell) and Team Vicar of Thame 2000-2014 (Oxford).

The congregations at St Alkmund's, where Ian worked, was informed on Sunday. 

Details of the funeral will follow.

Revd James Durrant, Assistant Curate at Derby Cathedral, worked with Ian at St Alkmund's.

He said: "He was a fantastic person to work with and greatly loved by everyone in the congregation and by all those in the Diocese that knew him.

"His heart for telling people about Jesus was magnificent and even in his final weeks in the Macmillan Unit he would take time to talk to the staff about Jesus and hhis faith.

"We were great friends as well as colleagues - this is a great loss and all those who knew him will treasure the memories they have."