The Bishop of Oxford will retire on his 70th birthday

The Right Reverend Richard Harries is set to retire on his 70th birthday - 2 June, 2006 - after 19 years service as bishop of the diocese.

"It has been a huge privilege to serve as bishop for so long and I leave with many happy memories," he said.

The Rt Rev Harries said farewell as part of the annual Holy Communion service at Christ Church Cathedral.

With his wife Dr Jo Harries, the bishop intends to move to south-west London to spend more time with the couple's three grandchildren.

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