A Barking vicar accused of arranging hundreds of sham marriages to help immigrants stay in Britain illegally will face trial next month.

Rev Elwon John, 50, has been charged with conspiracy to facilitate unlawful immigration between December 27 2007 and August 4 2010 along with Rev Brian Shipsides, 54.

They have been suspended from their duties at All Saints Church and St Edmunds in Katherine Road, both in Forest Gate, by the Church of England.

Shipsides, of Claremont Road, Forest Gate and John, of Kennedy Road, Barking are on bail to appear at Inner London Crown Court on July 29.