The mystery resignation of a Sussex vicar has been blown out of all proportion, according to a church official.

Father Robert Marsh's swift departure from St Richard's Church, Maybridge, Worthing, sparked a police investigation.

No charges were brought but church officials have declined to comment on exactly why he left.

The Bishop of Horsham, the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin, has said there will be a "breathing space" before a new vicar is appointed.

And communications officer for the Diocese of Chichester, the Reverend David Guest, said it was normal procedure to take time to decide on the future of a church.

He said: "When there is a vacancy it is pretty automatic that living is suspended until a new vicar is appointed.

"It happens a lot because churches need time to think about what to do in the future.

"All decisions will be openly discussed with the parishioners."

Mr Guest said: "There is no comment to make about the resignation. It has been blown up into something that it is not."