Image copyright Translink Image caption David Strahan will remain in the job until September while Translink recruits his successor

The chief executive of Northern Ireland transport company Translink has announced he is resigning "to devote his life to preaching the gospel".

David Strahan took up the £155,000-a-year job in October.

Mr Strahan will remain in the job until September to allow time for a successor to be appointed.

"I know many people may not understand this decision but, as this is a very personal matter, I ask that the media respect my privacy," he said.

"I will not be making any further public comment on this issue."

Translink chairman John Trethowan said Mr Strahan had "brought energy and commitment to the challenge of driving our organisation forward".

"While we are sorry to lose David, we respect his decision and wish him every success with his future endeavours.

"On behalf of the board of Translink, I want to record our thanks to David for all his hard work and leadership of the organisation through a period of significant funding challenges."

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "I have been very impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm David has brought to this post, and I fully respect his decision to leave to take up a new direction in his life."