New Bishop of Liverpool is Right Reverend Paul Bayes

Paul Bayes is the 8th Bishop of Liverpool and succeeds Rt Revd James Jones

The new Anglican Bishop of Liverpool has been announced as the Right Reverend Paul Bayes.

Bishop Paul has been Bishop of Hertford since 2010 and succeeds the Rt Revd James Jones, becoming the 8th Bishop of Liverpool.

Bishop James stepped down last year after 15 years in the role which concluded with leading the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The new bishop was introduced to the city at a food bank in Clubmoor.

Bishop Paul said: "This is a great city, a great region with great people. It deserves a great church. It's great to be with you.

"It's a huge privilege to come to this diocese, learn from fantastic Christians and work with the team."

'Great successor'

He will travel to Wigan to receive Communion at Wigan Parish Church and will later return to Liverpool to attend evening prayer at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

Bishop Paul will be formally installed in Liverpool Cathedral at a special service later in the year.

Since August, the diocese has been led by the the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Richard Blackburn.

Bishop Paul "brings with him a wealth of experience and skills to lead our diocese and is a great successor to Bishop James".

The previous Bishop of Liverpool, Bishop James said: "I envy him his calling for he will find a diocese that is big-hearted and growing in faith and in numbers."

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Malcolm McMahon, who was installed last week, said he looked forward to working with Bishop Paul.

"He can be assured of the prayers of the priests and people of the Archdiocese as he prepares for his new mission here in Liverpool."