The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, 54, will take over from the Rt Rev Keith Sutton as the 98th bishop of the diocese.

The new bishop is a former student at Keele University in Staffordshire.

He was a member of the Christian Union at Keele before training at theological college.

Bishop Jonathan will be leaving the post of Bishop of Southampton to take up the position.

He is married to Dr Jane Gledhill, a lecturer and pastor. They have two children.

Bishop Jonathan said he was looking forward to taking up his new post and added that he would bring his experience of being an ordinary vicar to the role.

The Lichfield diocese covers a wide area across Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands.