Bishop of Peterborough consecrated at St Paul's

Bishop Allister said he was "overwhelmed" by the new job

The consecration of the new Bishop of Peterborough has taken place at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Right Reverend Donald Allister, who was Archdeacon of Chester, succeeded the Right Reverend Ian Cundy, who died from cancer last May.

Bishop Allister, 57, is married to Janice, who is a doctor, and they have three adult children.

He said: "I am overwhelmed by this new job but believe it is the Church's call and God's call to me."

Once opposed to the ordination of women, he said he had "come to value and respect their ministry".

He said he was looking forward to performing the role of bishop in the wider community and wanted to build good community relations and strong links with other faiths.

"I was very surprised to be invited to become the Bishop of Peterborough, and it took me some time to be sure it was the right move.

"Now I'm really looking forward to getting to know the Diocese," he added.

The Diocese of Peterborough serves churches in Peterborough, Northamptonshire and Rutland.