Bishop of Bath and Wells Peter Price says farewell

A farewell service has been held for the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who retires at the end of June.

Thousands of people packed into Wells Cathedral to hear the Right Reverend Peter Price officiate over his final service in the post.

In November, Bishop Price announced he would be retiring this summer after 11 years' service.

A successor to the 69-year-old bishop is due to be considered in the autumn.

The service included the formal laying down of the symbols of office, and Bishop Price was presented with a retirement gift. It was followed by a picnic party on the Cathedral Green.

'Extraordinary time'

Bishop Price, who is married to Dee and has four children, said it had been a privilege to serve as bishop.

"I've had the most extraordinary time as Bishop of Bath and Wells," he said.

"I've enjoyed pretty much nearly every moment of it and its been an extraordinary team of people I've worked with and I think that the things we have been able to do during that period of time, I will always look back on and be grateful for."

The Bishop said he hoped to make the next part of his life a commitment to "peace-building, peace-making and reconciliation".

In his role as the Bishop of Bath and Wells he has spoken out about war and conflict, inhumanity, famine and poverty.

He is also a strong supporter of woman bishops, and previously said it was a shame his replacement would not be a woman.