A TOWN is still no wiser as to the whereabouts of its rector and his deputy who vanished last week.

The news of the disappearance of Canon Jim Tipp, rector of All Saints' Church, Snodland, and the associate rector Elaine Northern , was met with shock last week.

But the mood has changed according to one parishioner who said last Sunday's service went ahead as if "nothing had happened".

He said: "The service on Sunday went ahead as normal and nobody was talking about what happened. Nobody has any idea where he [Mr Tipp] or Elaine are but it's all moved on."

We reported how the news of Mr Tipp's disappearance was met with gasps and tears by the congregation.

Canon Brian Stevenson, vicar of nearby West Malling and friend of 25 years said: "I haven't heard anything more."

Church warden Helen Comber said until Mr Tipp, 62, was replaced, services and communion at All Saints' Church would be taken by vicars from other parishes.

She said that it would be several months before a permanent replacement was brought in.

The Kent Messenger Group tried to contact Mrs Tipp but was told she would not be making any comment. No one from the Rochester Diocese was available for comment.