Bishop's Chelmsford celebration to cheer women vicars

The Bishop of Chelmsford treated 100 women vicars to a Champagne breakfast to celebrate their contribution to the church.

The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell organised the celebration in Chelmsford Cathedral to cheer the women in his diocese after the general synod of the Church of England voted narrowly against the appointment of women as bishops.

The measure was passed by the synod's houses of bishops and clergy but was rejected by the House of Laity.