PARISHIONERS in Seend, Poulshot and Bulkington were shocked on Sunday to be told their vicar, the Rev Jamie Allen, was taking a three-month leave of absence, starting immediately.

The sudden departure of Mr Allen, his wife Suzy and their three children has caused widespread speculation.

Intrigue was added when a church spokesman said his reasons for leaving were not all to do with the strain caused by the TV series.

Mr Allen, who came to national prominence in the docusoap A Country Parish earlier this year, is thought to have temporarily left the area following a meeting with the Bishop of Salisbury last week.

The statement from the Bishop, the Rt Reverend David Stancliffe, was read out to the congregations of the three churches on Sunday. It said: "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 that they need an extended break over the summer.

"So I have given Jamie leave of absence for three months so that 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 ask the BBC to delay a second series of the enormously successful A Country Parish, which attracted upwards of three million viewers for each episode when it was screened on BBC2 in the spring.

It has been left to the Rural Dean of Devizes, Canon John Record, to make 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."

Lt Col John Quinn, one of the churchwardens at Seend, did not want to comment on the reasons behind Mr Allen's leave of absence, but said: "Jamie has had a very positive impact on the parish since he has been here and we are very happy with our new vicar.

"We are looking forward to welcoming him back among us in due course."

Estelle Holloway, whose disapproval of Mr Allen's anti-hunting sentiments was a major strand of the TV series, said she didn't believe that the strain of being filmed over three months last autumn and winter was the reason behind his desire for a break.

She said: "He has been working very hard, especially with the young people.

"He may have been pushing on too quickly. It was a great surprise when it was announced in church."

The Bishop of Salisbury's senior chaplain, the Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, said: "Jamie asked for a meeting with the Bishop and then asked for three months' leave of absence.

"We will be keeping in close touch with him over the next few weeks. I cannot say whether he will be coming back in three months.

"We will have to see how it goes with him and the family.

"It is not unprecedented for clergy to ask for an extended leave of absence to recharge their batteries and review their future.

"I can say that Jamie's problems are not all to do with the TV series."

Mr Papadopulos said Mr Allen and his family would be leaving the area during the three-month period.

The BBC had agreed to put a second series of A Country Parish on the back burner to give Mr Allen and his parishioners more time to develop their relationship.

Mr Allen consulted parishioners, and the feeling was it was too soon for another series in the parish.

The Allens have three girls Danielle, six, Carrie, three, and Katy, one.