A rector, who left his wife after falling in love with his deputy, has been banned from serving as a priest for life.

The Rev Canon James Tipp, 63, and his deputy, the Rev Elaine Northern, 54, caused uproar when they both disappeared from their homes last February.

Details emerged after the congregation at All Saints’ Church, Snodland, were told one Sunday that Mr Tipp was “unavailable” to take the service.

It then emerged they had run away together.

Mr Tipp left the vicarage in St Katherine’s Lane, Snodland, where he lived with his wife Veronica.

At the time, Mrs Northern’s husband, Michael, declined to comment, but his children issued a statement through the Diocese of Rochester saying: “Sadly our parents have separated after 30 years together. We wish both of them the happiness they deserve and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

According to the The Telegraph, Mr Tipp and Mrs Northern admitted deserting their spouses and the parish of Snodland and in so doing acting in a manner unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders and neglecting their duties.

The paper reported that at a disciplinary hearing, Mr Tipp was banned from serving as a priest for life because of his higher level of responsibility, while his lover was barred for 12 years.