Former Canon Lionel Webber has admitted misleading the builders of Basildon's belltower with nearly £2m in bounced cheques.

And he has told a court hearing into his tangled financial affairs that he now regrets ever having joined the church.

Mr Webber, at the centre of a police inquiry and a legal row over a £500,000 unpaid bill for the building of the 95ft glass tower, said he wished he could turn the clock back.

Speaking at an oral examination held yesterday (Monday) at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, he said he had been stupid and naive but denied pocketing money earmarked for the project.

He said: "I started my church training about 40 years ago now - it is a decision I deeply regret."

Mr Webber, questioned in the High Court over the debt still owed to contractors John Mowlem, said potential sponsors had "promised us the earth" but had not come up with the cash.

But he said: "I have never transferred anything into my account from anywhere.

"I didn't buy my yacht through it, that was bought in 1984 and I didn't buy my car with it."

In total, St Martin's Parochial Church (PCC) owes nearly £1m, including interest.

The court heard how Mr Webber, a former chaplain to the Queen, played for time, writing cheques to Mowlem's when he knew church accounts were empty.

Webber insisted he had never knowingly misled Mowlem's over the last three years. However, the firm's solicitor, Tony Kearney, fired back: "But you wrote cheques that misled us?" Mr Webber replied: "Yes, I agree."

Mowlem's will use the evidence gleaned from the hearing to try to raise the cash in partnership with the remaining members of the PCC.

The firm has refused to rule out pulling the belltower down.

Misled firm -Lionel Webber outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London

Ecclestone denies approach

Bernie Ecclestone, the billionaire head of Formula One racing, has denied being approached by Lionel Webber for belltower funding.

Mr Webber told the High Court that Mr Ecclestone was one of a number of high-profile figures he had approached for donations.

Tony Kearney, solicitor for Mowlem's, said Mr Webber had used Mr Ecclestone's name in an attempt to convince the firm money was coming.

Mr Kearney replied: "We have a letter from Mr Ecclestone's office that says he never recalls having met you."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.