Pope Francis has appointed a Clifton priest as the next Bishop of Plymouth.

Canon Christopher Whitehead will be consecrated as the 10th bishop of the diocese in succession to Archbishop Mark O’Toole who 18 months ago was transferred to Cardiff and Menevia.

The bishop-elect previously served as a parish priest in Bath in the neighbouring Diocese of Clifton where he had also worked as director of Adult Education, director of ongoing formation of priests, and director of formation for the permanent diaconate.