AS the new Bishop of Durham waited outside his cathedral yesterday, he must have wondered if the congregation was ever going to let him in.

In a ceremony that dates back centuries, each new bishop is greeted at Durham Cathedral by a closed door - and those inside only let him in when he has banged on it with his staff.

But, despite the sedate pace of the march from Durham Castle to the cathedral, the new arrival reached his mark well ahead of schedule.

Watches were consulted and the entire party, slightly embarrassed, stood waiting outside the door for several minutes, watched by a crowd of about 200 people.

Finally, he got his cue. The cathedral bells tolled three times and, clearly relieved, the Rt Rev Tom Wright thumped his staff on the great wooden door that is pitted with the marks of his forbears.

Once inside, the two-hour service was conducted with military precision. Dozens of clergy and cathedral staff, wired for sound with radio microphones and ear pieces, ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Among the church leaders from around the world taking part in the ceremony, the new bishop also included some of the region's children, with pupils from Middleton St George School, near Darlington, St Aidan's School, Hartlepool, Bluecoat School, Durham, and Benedict Biscop School, Sunderland.

In his inaugural sermon, he described the region as a "garden gone wrong", highlighting North-East unemployment blackspots and the plight of County Durham farmers.

"If you doubt what I say, walk around the housing estates with 50 per cent unemployment in parts of South Shields and elsewhere in the region, or talk to farmers in Upper Weardale, facing debts just as unpayable as those of Zambia," he said.

He spent the weeks leading up to the ceremony on a pilgrimage, walking from church to church across a diocese that stretches from the Tees to the Tyne. He said his journey had given him hope that these problems were already being tackled.

"I've seen some of those acts this last week," he said. "A troubled school dramatically turned around, a lively community-building project created with hard work and patience on a tough estate and many more.

"That is what happens when people hear the invitation to take up the cross and follow Jesus."

His words clearly struck a chord with the congregation. Asked by the dean, Michael Sadgrove, to give the bishop a North-East welcome, they responded with a prolonged and hearty round of applause.