The new Bishop of Barking has been announced, with his consecration to take place this month.

The Venerable Peter Hill, currently the Archdeacon of Nottingham, will take over the leadership of the diocese which covers Barking & Dagenham, Epping Forest, Harlow, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.

He will be consecrated on July 25 at St Paul’s Cathedral at a service led by Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

He said: "My first priority is to experience and understand something of the rich and diverse contexts and communities of East London and West Essex as rapidly as possible.

"I want to be out and about, both formally, guided by church leaders, and informally simply exploring on my own.  In doing so I hope to be open to where God leads and to what he is calling his people to do as a transforming presence.

"Traditionally new bishops have a quiet retreat before their consecration, but in my case that has not been practical.  Instead I hope to retreat on the streets of the area during some of August to pray and see what comes."

He takes over from the Right Reverend David Hawkins, who retired after 11 years as the Bishop of Barking and from four decades of ordained service.