DURHAM’s new Bishop has set himself two big challenges as he moves into his new home – tackle poverty and improve the garden.

Bishop Paul Butler and his wife Rosemary slept in their new home in Bishop Auckland for the first time last night (Wednesday night) after a mammoth move from Nottinghamshire.

Movers from Bishop Auckland-based firm Ingram’s spent two days packing the Bishop’s belongings before moving them 130 miles from Southwell to his new house on Etherley Lane.

And company owner Malcolm Ingram said the biggest challenge had been the Bishop’s collection of more than 5,000 books.

He said: “It has certainly been one of the more unusual moves in the company’s history, we have moved Premiership footballers before who had a lot of stuff but none of them had as many books as the Bishop did.”

The Bishop’s new home comes complete with a five-a-side football pitch, outdoor dining area and a hot tub.

After unloading essentials on Wednesday evening, he and Mrs Butler celebrated their first night in Bishop Auckland with a meal at the town’s Wetherspoon’s pub, The Stanley Jefferson.

The Bishop said: “This is looking a very exciting place to work, I love the variety of rural and urban communities.”

The Bishop and his wife will be the fourth family to live in the 110-year-old house, which the Church of England bought in September after the sale of Auckland Castle, the traditional home of Durham’s Bishop in Bishop Auckland.

Bishop Butler said: “It is a fine place to live, I mean when you see the view out the back over the river and countryside, what more could you ask for?”

He said he aims to tackle the area’s poverty, grow the church’s role in the community and engage with children and young people.

He and wife Rosemary also plan to tackle their new garden with the planting of more flowers.

The Bishop said: “I’m delighted with the help we have had from Ingram’s, a good local business, and also decorator James Dinsley for making the house so homely.”

Bishop Butler will be officially enthroned as Durham’s 74th Bishop at Durham Cathedral on February 22.

He succeeds Justin Welby, who was appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury last year.