POLITICIANS have joined a chorus of support in favour of Whalley Parish Church vicar Rev Chris Sterry's decision to stand for election as a Conservative Party candidate.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, a practising Anglican, said he was delighted the vicar had decided to join politics.

"It's not right to discourage clergy from standing, as long as they can continue to do their job," he said.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, a practising Roman Catholic, said it was appropriate for Christians to take part in politics.

He said: "The New Testament is a fairly political text and if the vicar wants to draw some political lessons from it as I have done, that's entirely reasonable."

Burnley Labour MP Peter Pike, a regular attender at Burnley Parish Church, said: "Vicars have political views and if they want to stand for election they just have to consider whether it might alienate some of their congregation.

"Christianity can inform people's politics, as it did by turning me into a Labour politician. I know a number of Christians who hold strong political views. Anything that brings a sense of ethics into politics must be beneficial.''

Rossendale and Darwen Labour MP Janet Anderson, raised as a Methodist, added: "If he wants to stand he is perfectly entitled to do so.''

A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocese said: "Mr Sterry clearly feels this is a way of extending his ministry into areas of concern for his parishioners and no doubt the Archbishop of Canterbury's call for Christians to engage with the political world will encourage others to consider this part of their ministry.

"The Church has no conflict with this and no edict on the political activities of priests. It is up to them to decide."