First Female Bishop To Be Consecrated Today

The Church of England will consecrate its first female bishop during a ceremony at York Minster later today. The Reverend Libby Lane, 48, will be ordained as the new Bishop of Stockport, in what she says will be a "profound and remarkable moment".

The Church formally adopted legislation last November to allow women bishops. The move, which ends a centuries-old tradition of exclusively male bishops, has however continued to prompt divisions between some Anglicans.

The two-hour service expected to be attended by more than 1,000 people, will be led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, during which he and other bishops will lay their hands on Mrs Lane and pray.