City's first female bishop hopes to be role model

The Right Reverend Debbie Sellin says Peterborough is a "vibrant" city

The first female Bishop of Peterborough hopes to be a role model for young women who want to join the church.

The Bishop of Peterborough, the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, was installed at Peterborough Cathedral as the 39th bishop in the diocese in March.

She said she hopes to have an increased presence in the city, which she described as "vibrant", but appreciated her role within the church was still a "novelty".

She said: "I want the church to be seen as a place where people are welcome, where people are valued."

"For me it's the privilege of what that means for other women, you often need to be able to see somebody that looks like you to imagine that it might be something you'll be called to do.

"It's less about what it means to me, and more about saying to young girls at the moment that this is something God might be calling you to... here's an example for that," she said.

After receiving the news last year that she had been chosen for the post, Bishop Sellin was officially installed as the Bishop of Peterborough in a service held in Peterborough Cathedral in March.

The Diocese of Peterborough represents the Church of England in Northamptonshire, Rutland and the part of Peterborough north of the River Nene (south of the river in the city is part of the Diocese of Ely).

"The key thing at the moment is me getting out and about and actually seeing what churches are already doing, and working out how I can help them and support them to do that better," she said.

Paddy Berryman from the Light Project Peterborough said he thought Bishop Sellin was "very down to earth"

Paddy Berryman, from the homelessness charity Light Project Peterborough, said being able to meet the bishop was "fantastic".

"She's taken a real interest in the community and the various support that is around. I think she is very down to earth," he added.