A vicar has been betrayed after taking in a destitute alcoholic who then embarked on an affair with his wife of 29 years.

Ivan Mascarenhas, 49, moved in with Matthew and Sandra Taylor in Northamptonshire, after he began drinking again and was thrown out by his wife.

The vicar of St Mary's in Rushden took pity on him and gave him a spare room while he found his feet.

And Rev Taylor even praised Ivan in church for battling alcoholism, not knowing that he was sleeping with his wife.

MailOnline understands Mr and Mrs Taylor have gone on a fortnight's holiday and their local diocese said they are ‘rebuilding their marriage’.

Moving on: Rev Matthew Taylor appears to have forgiven his wife Sandra (pictured together) after she had an affair with a homeless alcoholic they took in

Illicit: Ivan Mascarenhas says that Sandra, right, helped him in his struggle with alcohol before they 'fell in love' and started a relationship he said was 'like a fantasy' because it 'felt forbidden'

Mr Mascarenhas said their affair started after he bonded with the vicar's wife over long walks and was 'like a fantasy' because it 'felt forbidden'.

He told The Sun: 'We couldn’t control ourselves. We both knew it was wrong and that it shouldn't happen'.

Betrayal: Rev Taylor had even praised his house guest in church and learned of the affair a fortnight ago

The lovers met through a drugs and alcohol rehab shelter Sandra ran through the church.

Father-of-two Ivan then returned to his wife Claire, 41, but fell off the wagon and was thrown out, so after begging Sandra for help he was taken in by the vicar and his wife in May.

Two months later Ivan was found a place to live a mile away but he says that Sandra then began sending him texts and inviting him back to her house for sex.

He told The Sun: ' We'd fallen in love. We just couldn't stop. Of course it was wrong, and the fact we are both Christian made it even worse. Matthew was a friend, which makes me feel terrible about it'.

Mother-of-two Sandra is understood to have told her husband of the affair in recent weeks and appears to have been forgiven.

She is said to feel 'shame and sadness' about what happened.

Rev Taylor said: 'During a time of great and intense emotional loss and stress, my wife Sandra was drawn into an inappropriate relationship with Ivan Mascarenhas while he was a voluntary member living in one of the rehab's dry houses.

'It was a short relationship which is now ended and for which Sandra now feels great shame and sadness.

'She resigned immediately having realised the seriousness of the situation. Ivan has left the house and a flat has now been arranged for him in a different location.'

Support: The congregation and church leaders at St Mary's in Rushden are 'supporting Matt and Sandra as they rebuild their marriage'

Sandra Taylor has resigned from her post at the drugs and alcohol charity Recovery House in Rushden.