THE Church of England is investigating a complaint about a sermon which offended groups of girl guides, brownies and rainbows.

Reverend Robert Hampson, the vicar at Holy Trinity Church in South Woodford, defended his sermon at the church but a complaint has been lodged with the Essex and east London arm of the Church of England.

Leaders of the 3rd Woodford Guides, Brownies and Rainbows were incensed by a sermon which gave frank comments about sex and a leader with one of the groups claimed Rev Hampson also touched on HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in his speech.

A spokesman for the Church of England Chelmsford Diocese said: "I can confirm that a complaint has been received by the diocese.

"It is in our complaints procedure that we must refrain from further comment so as not to prejudice the outcome but we are taking the complaint very seriously."

The spokesman said complaints are commonly resolved with an amicable discussion between the parties involved.

He added: "However if that is not possible, which it isn't in this case, then it goes to the relevant Archdeacon who considers the complaint."

The spokesman said he could not comment on when the issue would be resolved or the range of possible outcomes.

The girl groups involved are moving to Rovsco Hall in Wanstead, a purpose built Scout Hut, after about 80 years based at the Hermon Hill church, but a spokeswoman denied the move was directly connected with the row.

Rev Hampson said: "I was talking about the sanctity of life and the fruits of life. I said that one of many fruits that we can bring to God is ourselves and among several things I mentioned was the human body and the message was to keep it holy.

"I told the children that they would not hear my message in schools and I said it was better to wait until they were married before having sex with boyfriends and girlfriends although I made sure I did not use the word sex."

He said nobody walked out of the sermon, which was given on September 19, but he was "quickly aware that the leader of the guides was unhappy" as her face was "not a picture of roses."

The leader of one of the groups, who would not be named, said: "There were girls as young as five-years-old in the congregation.

"(Rev Hampson) mentioned HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, it was atrocious.

"The sermon was inflicted upon us with no consent and it took away the choice of parents in highlighting sex education which is something schools and guides groups do but parents are invited in and have a say."