A VISIT to Doncaster tonight by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu has been cancelled - because he has contracted a serious case of food poisoning.
The clergyman was due to take the service to celebrate the 150th anniversary of both St James Church, Balby Bridge, and Doncaster Minster.
But today it was revealed that he has suffered a serious bout of salmonella poisoning, picked up during a visit to Ghana, which put him in hospital.
Although he has now been discharged from hospital he has had to cancel all his appointments and was not well enough to be filmed to send a video message to Doncaster which had been suggested as a possibility.
He is sending a written greeting to be read out in both churches.
Alan Murray, vicar of St James, said: "Obviously we are disappointed, but we know that the archbishop would have tried to fulfil this long standing engagement if at all possible.
"We wish him well in his recovery and hope to see him in Doncaster soon."
The Archbishop will be invited him to visit both churches in the near future, he added.
The anniversary service will now be taken by the Bishop of Doncaster Cyril Ashton and David Hallatt, Assistant Bishop of Sheffield.
It starts at 6.30pm at St James Church.
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