A SECOND woman has been made a bishop by the Church of England.

The new Bishop of Hull will be the Reverend Canon Alison White, currently priest-in-charge of Riding Mill in the Diocese of Newcastle, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has announced.

She completes the Church’s first husband and wife team of bishops, as her husband Frank is Assistant Bishop of Newcastle.

Having studied English at Durham University, Rev Canon White trained for the priesthood in Durham and served in Chester-le-Street.

She worked for the Durham Diocese and most recently was priest-in-charge of Riding Mill, Northumberland.

The Archbishop said: "This is a joyous day! I am delighted to be welcoming Alison as the next Bishop of Hull.

"Whilst she will be working with others across the Diocese of York encouraging faith in urban life, she will have particular responsibilities for the vibrant city of Hull and the glorious coastline and countryside of the East Riding.

"Alison is a person of real godliness and wisdom - it is fantastic that she has accepted God's call to make Christ visible together with all of us in this Diocese of York."

The Church of England's first woman bishop was The Rev Libby Lane, who consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at York Minster in January.

The Rev Canon White said: "In 2010, I was privileged to be invited to take part in the York Diocesan Clergy Conference where I got a profound sense of a Diocese with faith and hope.

"I know that there is a real vision to be generous churches making and nurturing disciples and can't wait to be part of loving God and growing the Church in this great part of Yorkshire."

The Rt Rev Martin Wharton, the recently retired Bishop of Newcastle, said: "I am thrilled that Alison's priestly and personal gifts have been recognised by the wider church and believe she will be an outstanding bishop who will quickly endear herself to the people of Hull and the East Riding. As the second woman to be appointed Bishop in the Church of England, we rejoice with her and pray for her."

The Rev Canon White, who became a priest in 1994, will be consecrated on July 3 at York Minster. She succeeds the Right Rev Richard Frith, who became Bishop of Hereford in November 2014. She is married to Bishop Frank White, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle.

The Church's General Synod formally approved plans late last year to ordain women bishops after years of division and in the face of stiff opposition.