A Saltcoats priest who was jailed for embezzling almost £100,000 to fuel a gambling addiction has left his position with the church.

Graeme Bell was imprisoned for ten months in for stealing cash from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, known locally as St Mary's, in Saltcoats, where he was parish priest.

He embezzled the £96,000 between March and May 2015 and used the cash to play online roulette while "paralysed" by his gambling addiction, Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last year.

He has now been granted dispensation from the priesthood by Pope Francis.

A statement published on St Peter in Chains' website said: "Bishop Nolan reports that Graeme Bell's request for a dispensation from celibacy and from the obligations of priesthood has been granted by Pope Francis.

"This brings to an end over 16 years of ministry in Galloway Diocese. We are grateful to Graeme for those years of service and for the good work that he did.

"We wish him well as he begins a new phase in his life and assure him of the support of our prayers."