A VICAR from Bromyard has been suspended from his duties and told not to talk to anyone in the parish while a complaint made against him is investigated.

The Bishop of Hereford told Rev Clive Evans to step aside from his day-to-day duties while an enquiry takes place, but a spokesperson for the Diocese of Hereford said the suspension is "without judgement".

A spokesperson said: “The Bishop of Hereford has directed that the Reverend Clive Evans step aside from day to day ministry in the Benefice of Bromyard and Stoke Lacy and as Rural Dean.

"This is so that an enquiry can be carried out in relation to a complaint that has been received. Please be reminded that this is a neutral act and is without judgement.

"Because of this, Clive is unable to have contact with anyone in the parish, or carry out any church engagements at the present time. In the meantime, we are unable to discuss this further."

The nature of the complaint is not known.

Rev Evans has been Bromyard's Vicar and Rural Dean since 2013, moving to the town after spending 16 years working in Northamptonshire.

He had only been preaching for two years before starting his post near Daventry, having previously been a barrister up until 1995.

Three years ago he represented one of his parishioners in court. He spoke on behalf of a bereaved woman in an appeal following a crash on the Hereford to Worcester road in December 2015.

Rev Evans also covers St Peter and St Paul's church in Stoke Lacy and recently put the weather vane back into place on top of the recently renovated roof.

The church spent six months fundraising, as well as receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to be able to carry out essential renovation work costing £180,000.

West Mercia Police has not responded to questions, seeking to clarify if the force is involved in any investigation.