THE Bishop of Jarrow and his wife are settling into a new home after it was blessed in a special ceremony.

The new Bishop's House, at Harlow Green, on the outskirts of Gateshead, has been built as a permanent residence for the bishops of Jarrow.

Its present occupier is the Right Reverend John Pritchard, who recently moved there with his wife.

The house was blessed by the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, Bishop of Durham.

Bishop Pritchard said: "My wife Wendy and I are delighted to be living here. We have now moved from the oldest clergy house in the Church of England, in Canterbury, dating back to 1070, to the newest, dated 2002.

"The new Bishop's House has character and style, as well as being a practical house for both working and living in.

"We look forward to it being a working house and a family home and to welcoming many visitors from all parts of the Diocese of Durham."

Bishop Turnbull said: "I think the diocese has now got it right and we look forward to future generations of bishops of Jarrow being here."

The Bishop's House has been built to meet low-maintenance requirements and is located in the most densely populated part of the diocese, with access by car and public transport. It replaces the former bishop's residence, the old Hallgarth Vicarage at Pittington, near Durham, which was sold to pay for it.