A VICAR from Winsford has been defrocked by the Church of England.

Reverend Timothy Hanson resigned from his post as vicar of Christ Church, in the parish of Wharton, in July 2022.

A statement from the Diocese of Chester in February this year stated Mr Hanson had quit his job ‘due to personal circumstances’.  

The Church has now confirmed it has been conducting an internal investigation into his conduct while in office, which it has now completed.

As part of the investigation, Mr Hanson admitted ‘conduct unbecoming to the office and work of the clergy’.

As a result, he has been barred from holding a clerical post in the Church of England for five-and-a-half years.

The Church is keen to stress Mr Hanson’s misconduct has not raised any safeguarding concerns.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Chester said: "Tim Hanson resigned from his position as vicar of Christ Church, Wharton, in July 2022.

“Following an internal investigation by the Diocese of Chester, he admitted to conduct unbecoming to the office and work of the clergy, and was subsequently prohibited from ministry for a period of five and a half years.

“It's important to note that Mr Hanson was not prohibited from ministry for any safeguarding reason.”

A replacement for Mr Hanson is yet to be found, though the job advert on the Church of England website states the role is not open to women, due to the congregation's 'conservative evangelical' views.