TRIBUTES have been paid to Ambrose Griffiths, the former Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, who has died following a battle with leukamia.

Bishop Ambrose, who was the 11th Bishop of the diocese from 1992 until his retirement, died in Liverpool, aged 82.

He was the founder of the Youth Ministry Team and the Youth Village near Consett, County Durham.

Paying tribute, Bishop Seamus Cunningham said: "I visited Bishop Ambrose Griffiths just a few weeks ago.

"He knew then that he had only a short time left and was dying as he had lived - full of gratitude and hope.

"His gratitude was for those who were caring and praying for him. his hope was in the Lord whom he has served so faithfully."

He added: "His infectious enthusiasm meant that his ministry as bishop of our diocese was a time of great blessing for us.

"He had a special gift for getting alongside young people and inspiring them to pass on their faith.

"The formation of the Youth Ministry Team and the foundation of the Youth Village came about thanks to his inspiration.

"Always approachable and kind to laity and clergy alike we will miss him and pray for him with great thanksgiving."

Michael Griffiths was born in London on December 4, 1928. He went to a school in Brighton and then moved north to attend the Ampleforth Preparatory School in North Yorkshire. From there he moved to Ampleforth School.

In 1946, he won a place at Balliol College in Oxford where he obtained a first class BSc honours degree in natural sciences, majoring in chemistry, and later obtaining an MA.

He joined the Benedictine Community at Ampleforth Abbey, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and was given the religious name Ambrose, after the saint who was Bishop of Milan in the fourth century.

He was sent to the Benedictine House of Sant'Anselmo in Rome where he was ordained priest.

He then taught science, religious education and woodwork at Ampleforth. In 1972 he was appointed as Procurator (Bursar) of the Abbey.

He was later appointed Abbot of the Abbey and was in charge of Ampleforth until he was appointed parish priest of St Mary's Parish in Leyland, Lancashire.