THE Rev Peter Eugene Blagdon-Gamlen, a former priest in Sheppey for nearly 20 years, has died at his home in Northamptonshire. He was 84.

Mr Blagdon-Gamlen was Rector of Eastchurch and vicar of Harty and Leysdown from 1968 to 1987 and it was his wish that he should be buried in the churchyard of All Saint's Church, Eastchurch, with his first and second wives Dorothy and Enid Blagdon-Gamlen.

He married for a third time and leaves a widow.

After the Requiem at Kettering Northants, his coffin will be brought back to Sheppey and placed in the church overnight on March 24. The committal will follow a service at 10am on March 25.

The Rev Colin Johnson, from Sheppey, said: "He was, without doubt, a 'character' who believed implicitly and will be remembered with affection. He followed the order of service to the letter, be it to a congregation of six or 600.