A VICAR was arrested after a row with his neighbour over the height of a hedge.

Residents living next to the vicarage in Castleside, Consett, County Durham, were shocked to discover that their vicar, Stuart Bennett, and his neighbour Brian Stokoe were questioned by police following an alleged assault resulting from an argument over a hedge.

Rev Bennett, the vicar of St John’s Church, moved to the parish two years ago and since then Mr Stokoe has complained how beech hedges surrounding the vicarage have left him in the dark.

But tempers flared last month and the pair were arrested following an alleged assault.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “We are investigating an alleged assault which happened on the night of Sunday, December 14, in the Hillcrest area of Castleside.

“Two men, aged 47 and 57, have been arrested and interviewed in connection with this incident, which we understand arose from a dispute over a large hedge which forms part of the boundary between neighbours.

“They have been released on police bail until mid-January and a file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

“The police and CPS will consult in due course and decided what, if any charges should be brought.”

And Jon Bell, the Bishop of Durham’s chaplain, said the church was now investigating the matter.

“The Bishop of Durham is aware of Mr Bennett’s situation and has asked the Archdeacon of Durham to look into the matter,” he said.

“It is now in the hands of the police and there is no other comment.”

Rev Bennett declined to comment on the issue and Mr Stokoe was unavailable.

However, Mr Stokoe said in October: “We’ve had to live with these hedges for a long time now.

“They are beech hedges, which are prolific growers, and they are blocking all the light from my house and the elderly residents on the other side.

“I have discussed it with Stuart but he claims it is not his responsibility, and the church has no money to pay for it.”

Pensioner Maureen Eustace, who lives on the same street, said she was aware there had been an battle between the vicar and his neighbour.

She said: “This is very unusual for around here as it is normally such a quiet place.

“Nothing much happens around here and we are surprised to hear about the trouble.

“We don’t know what happened, as we weren’t in at the time, but we saw a police car the next day.

“No-one has really spoken about it and the only people who know what went on are the two concerned.

“It is shocking but we did know there have been rows.”