THE second highest ranking clergyman in the Church of England is to step down from his post and return to his roots.

The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, is to swap all the trappings of his office for a humbler role as a parish priest.

It was announced yesterday that the Queen has accepted his resignation with effect from February 28.

In March, he will take up the role of parish priest for St Margaret's in Ilkley, near Bradford.

Dr Hope, who has been the Archbishop of York since 1995, has never made any secret of his desire to ultimately return to parish life. "I'm very much looking forward to this new appointment," he said yesterday.

"I have always hoped that it might be possible to conclude my ministry as I had begun it as a parish priest and this I believe to be the call of God.

"I shall seek as best I can to work with and serve the parish."

His boss-to-be, the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, said he was thrilled by the move.

He added: "He brings with him a deep spirituality, a breadth of experience and a wealth of Yorkshire humour and down-to-earth common sense.

"Although most of his time will be spent ministering to the people of Ilkley, I shall also value his wise counsel."

Dr Hope is an anglo-catholic and has been at odds in the past with the more liberal wing of the church over the ongoing row involving women and gay priests.