VILLAGERS in the parish of TV vicar Jamie Allen arrived at church on Sunday to find the family vicar gone.

Parishioners were told the vicar for Seend, Poulshot and Bulkington had taken a three month leave of absence, starting immediately.

Mr Allen, who came to prominence in the BBC2 docusoap A Country Parish earlier this year, is thought to have left the area, after an audience with the Bishop of Salisbury last week.

A statement from the Bishop, the Rt Rev David Stancliffe, was read out from the pulpits of all three churches on Sunday.

It read: "Jamie and Suzy have been to see me, and in view of extra burdens they have carried over the last 12 months, I am clear they need an extended break over the summer.

"I have given Jamie leave of absence for three months so they can have the space to digest all that has happened and plan for the future."

The news comes after Mr Allen's decision to approach the BBC and ask them to delay a second series of the enormously successful A Country Parish, which attracted more than three million viewers.

The Rural Dean of Devizes, Canon John Record is making arrangements to cover Mr Allen's work until the autumn.

He said: "There is a good ministry team there and they are rallying round. I had a meeting with retired clergy and readers this week and it was all very positive.

"I shall be keeping an eye on the situation and making sure that everything is running smoothly."