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 Snodland homes last February.

Now the pair have been given a life ban and a 12-year-ban respectively by a Bishops Disciplinary Tribunal.

A Bishops Disciplinary Tribunal held at Bournemouth Combined Court heard how the pair had written a letter to the Archdeacon and the Bishop of Rochester on February 5 saying "that during their working relationship of four years their feelings for each other had moved from friendship to being very much in love. They found it impossible to walk away from their feelings but realised the deep hurt this would cause their partners and the parish."

The tribunal ruled that Mr Tipp and Mrs Northern had deserted their office of rector and associate rector of Snodland and formed an inappropriate relationship which led to them deserting their spouses as they sought to set up home together elsewhere.

Despite this, Mr Tipp said he had no regrets about his actions.

He said: "We are very sorry to everyone we hurt but we have no regrets about our actions. We are just waiting for our divorces to come through and then we plan to marry.

"We did struggle with what was happening and it was a nightmare scenario and we knew it would inflict pain and hurt on people, especially our families."

Mr Tipp was rector of All Saints' Church, Snodland, and also rural dean for the Cobham area.

On February 4 last year, he left the vicarage in St Katherine’s Lane, Snodland, where he lived with his wife Veronica. At the same time, Mrs Northern left her husband Michael.

At the time Mrs Northern's 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.”

Mrs Northern, 54, said her family were now coming to terms with what had happened but Mr Tipp’s were taking a little longer.

Lindy Mackenzie MBE, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Rochester said, "It is always a matter of regret when any clergy fail to set an example of Christian behaviour.

"We are very sorry that James Tipp failed to do so.

"The public rightly expects church leaders to take what action they can within the constraints of the law to discipline those who fall short of the standards expected.

"Regrettably, due legal process in this case has been protracted. We hope that the parish of Snodland and Lower Birling can now move forward in their strategic ministry to a growing community."