The new Bishop of Durham, succeeding the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, was announced today.

The Reverend Canon Dr Nicholas Thomas Wright, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey, will take up the fourth most senior position in the Church of England after April 30.

Born in Northumberland and now married with four children, he has written more than 30 books and continues Durham's long tradition of scholar-bishops.

He said: "The call to return to my geographical roots and serve the people of the North-East as Bishop of Durham is exciting and daunting in equal measure."

Of his successor, Bishop Turnbull said: "The diocese will be fortunate to have a scholar whose teaching is accessible and orthodox and also to have a warm-hearted person who will be widely welcomed in the North-East."