THE funeral details for former Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Dr David Jenkins have been announced.

Dr Jenkins died in Barnard Castle, in County Durham on September 4, at the age of 91. He had been living with Alzheimers disease for many years.

His funeral will take place at Durham Cathedral on Wednesday, September 28.

David Kennedy, vice dean and precentor of Durham Cathedral, said: "The memory of Bishop David’s ministry remains very strong in County Durham and the wider diocese not least because of his magnificent and public support for our mining communities and the fact that he was an untiring advocate for the people of the North-East. We expect that many will wish to mark his passing and pay their respects. All who wish to attend are welcome.”

The controversial cleric and theologian was Bishop of Durham – one of the country's oldest dioceses – from 1984 until 1994 when he retired and took on the post of honorary assistant bishop in Ripon and Leeds.

The Most Revd John Sentamu, Archbishop of York said: “Bishop David made his mark on the lives of countless clergy and laity with his uncompromisingly rigorous commitment to intellectual honesty in the service of theology and the Kingdom of God.

"Those who listened only to the soundbites from his lectures and sermons which occasioned controversy would have done well to listen longer and harder."