A 54-YEAR-OLD vicar has resigned after shocking his parishioners by leaving his wife for another woman.

The Rev Steven Abram, vicar of St George the Martyr Church in Daubhill, Bolton, is understood to have left his wife, Annette, for a mother of four who used to be one of his parishioners.

He is still living in the vicarage - but is expected to move out soon - while his wife and teenage daughter are living in Eastwood Close, off Hulton Lane, Bolton.

Mrs Abram confirmed that her husband has left her but added: "I don't want to say anything that will make it worse."

Rev Abram handed his resignation to church leaders in July after details of his affair emerged.

Today members of the congregation said they felt "let down" by the vicar who had been at the church for 14 years.

One parishioner, who asked not to be named, said: "He's been a fool to himself, really.

"I'm very sorry about what has happened because he is a good man who has worked hard in the parish but he has let us all down.

"The bishop told us that they would be looking for a new vicar to replace him in the future and the news got round the church very quickly.

"He's a good man who has done a lot of good deeds so this is a bombshell for us."

Mr Abram, who graduated at London University, was ordained as a priest in 1977 and was previously based at St Lawrence Church in Biddulph, Staffordshire, and St James Church in Alderholt, Dorset.

Speaking from the vicarage, Mr Abram said: "It's a personal and domestic matter. I've already given a message to the parishioners through a letter read out in church." Mr Abram has been told he will have to leave the vicarage which is a benefit of the job.

Archdeacon of Bolton the Venerable John Applegate said: "He's done the honourable thing by resigning and withdrawing himself from that situation."

"It's too early to say whether he would be banned from ministering in public but he won't be doing it for a long time."

A spokesman for the Church of England said: "Mr Abram submitted his resignation and withdrew from from public ministry in July following a period of separation from his wife.

"The diocese remains in close contact with the Abram family and parishioners at St George's to offer support and advice."

CHURCH: St George's the Martyr Church in Church Avenue, Daubhill