by Lynn Cox

A former Gillingham vicar has been arrested on suspicion of voyeurism.

The Reverend Richard Lee, who used to officiate at the All Saints' Church in Hempstead, was arrested in Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset, on suspicion of the offence.

He had moved from Gillingham five years ago to lead the congregations at St Augustine's Church in Locking and St Mary’s Church in Hutton, near Weston.

He is currently on police bail while allegations against him are investigated.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "We arrested a 48-year-old man from Weston on suspicion of voyeurism in July of this year.

"Investigations are ongoing and the man remains on police bail."

Mr Lee moved to North Somerset from Gillingham in January 2007 alongside his wife the Rev Anne Lee, who also works at the two churches in Somerset.

They met and married while studying to be vicars at college in Nottingham, before working at different churches in north London and taking up posts at the same church in Kent, where they stayed for nine years.

When he was at All Saints' in Hempstead, the Rev Lee went for the David Beckham look in order to raise money for the Friends of Chernobyl's children charity.

Rev Lee had his head shaved in a Beckham-style skinhead and wore a stud earring during a service at the church.

Mr Lee had promised to shave his locks in front of his flock if he raised at least £700 in sponsorship money, but local support saw the total soar to more than £1,370.

But he drew the line at copying Beckham entirely and having a tattoo on his back.

At the time, he said: "I won't be getting a tattoo like Beckham and I have to refuse point blank to have my legs waxed.

"The support from the Hempstead community has been fantastic and even the schools, Hempstead Infants and Hempstead Junior, have been getting involved in the fund-raising."

A spokesman for the Diocese of Bath and Wells added: "The diocese has no comment to add to the information that the police have provided."