The new vicar at a Kent parish must have thought he was hearing things when his colleague at the neighbouring parish introduced himself.

For after the Revd John Richardson was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Church in Margate he met his colleague….the Revd John Richardson!

Thanet Area Dean Canon David Roper said: “I always suspected God had a sense of humour, but now it’s confirmed.

“During the service, a member of the congregation presented both vicars with T-shirts which state: ‘You want the other JR!’ I am sure both Johns will have a lot of fun confusing us all!”

The ‘original’ Rev Richardson is vicar of St Peter-in-Thanet, Broadstairs.