THE Venerable Trevor Willmott, Archdeacon of Durham, has been appointed Bishop of Basingstoke.

He succeeds the Right Reverend Dr Geoffrey Rowell, who was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe last year.

He will be consecrated as bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Southwark Cathedral on May 8, followed by a service of welcome in Winchester Cathedral on Saturday, May 11, at 5pm when he will be commissioned and installed as a canon of the cathedral.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, said: "It is good news that the wider Church has recognised the outstanding gifts of Trevor Willmott.

"During his five years as Archdeacon of Durham he has been much admired, not only for his ability in strategic matters but also for his pastoral concern and spirituality."