CONTROVERSY surrounds a clergyman's move to join the vicar involved in a long-running gay-sex row at his Kidderminster church.

Rev Kelvin Shilvock, of St Peter's Church in Birchen Coppice, will leave to join the ministry at the town's St John's Church, led by Rev Charles Raven, who has been at loggerheads with the Bishop of Worcester for his views on homosexuality.

Mr Shilvock, curate in the West Kidderminster team with special responsibility for St Peter's, will move on July 1 after his present post comes to an end, and he and wife Catherine will be provided with housing by the Forerunner Trust.

The trust, controversially formed by Mr Raven last year after his fall-out with the Bishop for refusing to rule out ordaining practising homosexuals, is believed by some parishioners to be the first step in a bid to become independent from the Church of England when Mr Raven's licence runs out in January.

However, a Worcester diocese spokeswoman warned Mr Shilvock must not operate as a priest after his licence expires as he does not have permission from the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Peter Selby.

But Mr Raven countered: "There are lots of things a person can do in a church which do not require the validation of the Bishop, such as pastoral work and projects with youngsters.

"He has won the respect of many people in the district and will be a tremendous asset to the life and witness of our congregation."