Retiring Bishop of Bradwell holds his farewell service

The Rt Revd Dr Green was born in East London and ordained in 1970

The Bishop of Bradwell has held his farewell service ahead of his retirement at the end of February.

The Rt Revd Laurie Green has held the post for 18 years and is currently the longest serving Bishop in one area.

Hundreds of members of the Anglican church joined the 65 year-old for the service at Chelmsford Cathedral.

"To look around the cathedral, it's absolutely packed with so many faces that bring back important memories in my life," he told BBC Essex.

"Perhaps we've sat down together and talked about very significant turning points in their life and I've had the privilege as Bishop of sharing that with them.

"I have been completely overwhelmed by so much love."

The Rt Revd Green has been the Bishop since 1993 and oversees a population of nearly one million people in 161 parishes.

Among the areas covered are Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea, Maldon, Thurrock and the Dengie Hundred.

As well as being the fourth Bishop of Bradwell, he was also the acting Bishop of Chelmsford in 2009-2010, bridging the gap between Bishop John Gladwin and Bishop Stephen Cottrell, who was was installed last November.

As well as his pastoral duties, he is also an established author on theology and is involved with several charities in the UK and abroad.

I run a charity called Friends of the Poor in South India, so I'll be going across to India to make sure it's all going OK Rt Revd Dr Laurie Green

After he steps down on Monday, 28 February, the Rt Revd Green said he had plenty of projects to keep him busy.

"I was reading a poem by TS Elliott and I was struck by the words 'old men ought to be explorers,'" he said.

"And I thought 'that's it' and I'm going to explore something more of the mysteries and wonders that God has got lined-up for us all.

"I run a charity called Friends of the Poor in South India, so I'll be going across to India to make sure it's all going OK.

"The other thing is the church has asked me nationally to go and visit housing estates," he added.

"Particularly deprived estates where ministry is going ahead and trying to be alongside priests and people in those churches in the housing estates. That will be good fun too."

"Plus of course there's the grandchildren and all the things a retired chap wants to do - grow some veggies and all those lovely, lovely things."