Ruth Worsley installed as new Bishop of Taunton

Bishop Ruth's first Episcopal duties were to admit and license nine people into the office of Reader

Hundreds of people have packed Wells Cathedral to welcome the new Bishop of Taunton.

The Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, 53, gave her first sermon as a bishop in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and was presented with her pastoral staff.

Bishop Ruth said she was "delighted to join the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the world".

She is the 13th Bishop of Taunton after taking over from the Right Reverend Peter Maurice who stood down in April.

Bishop Ruth will live in Wells and work from the Bishops' Palace in the city, alongside the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Peter Hancock.

Bishop Ruth said: "It will be a great privilege to meet and serve everyone who lives and works in the county."

The diocese has 540 churches, 496 parishes and serves almost 900,000 people.

Hundreds of people travelled to Wells to welcome Bishop Ruth to the diocese

In her first sermon Bishop Ruth quoted the dictum attributed to St Francis: "Preach the gospel at all times and use words if you must"