THREE names have emerged as leading contenders for the Bishop of Durham's post as speculation mounts over who will replace The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull.

Bishop Turnbull, who will be 67 in December, announced his retirement last Saturday during the Test Match Special at Headingley, Yorkshire.

The Bishop of Durham is the fourth most senior bishop in the Church of England and carries an automatic place in the House of Lords.

Although Bishop Turnbull does not retire until April 30 next year, three front runners have emerged - the Bishop of Chester, Peter Forster; the Bishop of Newcastle, Martin Wharton; and the Bishop of Leicester, Timothy Stevens,

Dr Forster, 52, has been Bishop of Chester since 1996. He is a firm Evangelical and a skilled craftsman who makes furniture and who built his own house in Scotland.

He was a scientist before ordination and has a doctorate in Patristics, the ancient writings of the church.

Dr Forster moved to the University of Durham in 1983 as senior tutor at St John's College, where he taught theology. During his time in Durham, he was elected to serve as a member of the Church of England's General Synod before he became vicar of Beverley Minster in 1991.

Dr Wharton, 58, is a former Durham student, and has been Bishop of Newcastle since 1998.

Bishop Stevens, 55, has been in Leicester for three years and has developed relations with leaders of faith communities and is in favour of the ordination of women.

Claire Shelley, news editor at the Church of England newspaper, said: "I think from his credentials, Martin Wharton might be a popular choice.

"But Timothy Stevens has been quite a prominent bishop and has already made an impact where he is. He is quite evangelical in his thoughts and would not be too controversial."

A Vacancy-in-See committee comprising about 22 clergy and lay people will now be formed in Durham to produce a Statement of Needs, setting out the qualities they are looking for in a new bishop for the diocese.

After consultation with the appointments secretaries for the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Prime Minister in October, the national Crown Appointments Commission will then put forward two names for the Prime Minister to select. The Queen will then invite the chosen candidate to accept.

Dr Sheridan Gilley, a reader in theology at Durham University, said there was a tradition for the Durham bishops to be academics

"I would imagine they would also want to get someone who is in favour of the ordination of women," he said.

Bishop Turnbull declined to comment