A MINISTER says he is facing a bleak time this Christmas because of a legal battle with his former church.

Pastor Grant Gill, who held ministry at King's Church in New Road, Chatham, is suing for wages and expenses he claims have not been paid to him.

He stepped down at the beginning of March after family and marriage pressures became too much for him to cope with.

He had led the evangelical place of worship for more than seven years but is now taking the church and its trustees to court for severance pay and expenses incurred while he was in charge.

The South African and his wife, Phillipa, had helped to set up other projects connected to the church, including Caring Hands in the Community and the Little Eagles nursery school.

Caring Hands is based opposite the church and is a drop-in centre for homeless people who need a hot meal and a shower.

Mr Gill claims the trustees of the church promised him £15,000 in severance pay and £5,000 in unpaid wages.

He has also put in a claim for £7,000 expenses he says he incurred while setting up the nursery and a £12,000 loan he made to the Caring Hands project.

In total the couple are claiming they are owed £39,000 and are waiting for the case to be heard at Medway's County Court.

Mr Gill said: "We were promised the severance pay from the new leaders but to date I still have not had February and March's salary, nor have we had other payments promised to us. Christmas looks bleak in the Gill household.

"After seven years of serving this community we are facing bankruptcy at Christmas time all because of failed promises."

The Rev Allan Smith, chairman of the trustees of the King's Church, said: "Litigation is ongoing, and therefore I am unable at present to make a statement."