Dr Hope has been Archbishop of York since 1995

The current archbishop, Dr David Hope, is stepping down in February to return to work as a parish priest in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Now senior Church of England officials are working to find a replacement.

The meeting at Bishopthorpe Palace on the outskirts of York on Thursday will hear views of people from the local diocese.

The Crown Nominations Commission, which includes six representatives from the Diocese of York, will review all the names and then submit two candidates to Downing Street.

The Prime Minister's Secretary for Appointments, William Chapman, and the Archbishops' Appointment Secretary, Caroline Boddington, will be at the meeting.