The Bishop of Oxford will retire on his 70th birthday

The Rt Rev Richard Harries will retire on his 70th birthday - 2 June, 2006 - after 19 years' service in the diocese.

He and his wife, Dr Jo Harries, said they would move to south west London where they hope to see more of their three grandsons.

The bishop ran into controversy in 2003 when he backed the controversial appointment of a gay Bishop of Reading.

Church life 'renewed'

He said serving the diocese had been "an enormous privilege".

"The diocese has a great number of very able and deeply committed people, and it has been humbling to work with them for the renewal of church life," he added.

The regular guest on the BBC's Today programme will also retire from broadcasting, but plans to add to his written work.

Bishop Harries nominated Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading despite his being forced to stand down from the post due to his homosexuality.