Copies of the current Newbury Weekly News had to be recalled after it published the wrong picture next to a front page story about a priest who is facing child pornography charges.

The newspaper carried a story about a priest who has been charged with eight offences involving child pornography.

But the weekly independent broadsheet used a picture of Rev Anthony Howe, another priest totally unconnected to the charges.

The caption on an archive photograph was incorrect, which led to the error.

When the mistake came to light, copies of the newspaper were recalled and reprinted.

The newspaper also issued a statement which said: “The Rev Anthony Howe has no connection with any of these charges and has the full support of the Bishop of Reading for his ministry.

“The Newbury Weekly News apologises unreservedly for the embarrassment its use of the wrong photograph has occasioned Father Howe.”

Group editor Brien Beharrell told Holdthefrontpage that an amicable agreement with Father Howe had now been reached.

She said: “This was a very regrettable mistake, which, in part, arose from the publication of two innocent photographs of Rev. Anthony Howe, and another priest, published in the Newbury Weekly News more than a year ago when the two men were taking part in a fundraising event.

“We were entirely unaware that the captions published then were inaccurate and we remained so until the photograph of Father Howe was published last week.

“Any inaccuracies have always been very carefully noted in our library and archive to avoid problems just such as this. However, the newspaper was unaware that the caption was incorrect on this occasion. It was also a fact that the two men looked very alike.

“Once the problem was known, the Newbury Weekly News responded promptly to set the record straight as quickly and efficiently as possible and Father Howe was happy to be photographed again by the Newbury Weekly News on Sunday when the newspaper was invited to cover a special event in the parish where he works.”