THE new Bishop of Birkenhead has been revealed as the Reverend Keith Sinclair, currently Vicar of the Holy Trinity in Coventry.

At a welcoming ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall, the married father of three told how he is looking forward to facing new challenges and meeting the Birkenhead community.

The London-born priest will begin preparations within the next few weeks for his role as a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Chester.

He is due to be formally consecrated as Bishop of Birkenhead at York Minister in March.

At the ceremony, local church and civic leaders welcomed the bishop; his wife Rosemary, a family law lecturer, and their children Peter, 14, Anna, 13, and David 10.

And Revd Sinclair told of his excitement about moving to the Wirral: "I am very much looking forward to meeting the clergy and reaching out to different age groups within the community.

"My wife and I at different times were in Merseyside during the 1980s and have really good memories so we are keen to explore and get to know people."

Muriel Lawrence from Seaview Road, Wallasey, met Revd Sinclair when he presided over her brother's funeral as a priest in Coventry.

The 79-year-old said: "Mr Sinclair is a wonderful man, he was very kind to my late brother John and helped him a lot.

"He encouraged my brother, who had learning difficulties, to join the welcoming team at the church in Coventry. That gave John a lot of confidence."

She added: "With Keith Sinclair's help and kindness, my brother's quality of life was increased greatly for his last five years.

"Mr Sinclair was lovely and gentle. He inspires trust and is going to make a great Bishop of Birkenhead."

Revd Sinclair succeeds the Rt. Revd David Urquhart and his appointment was simultaneously announced by the Prime Minister's office on Thursday.

In his new role, he will assist the Bishop of Chester in leading the diocese, particularly the western half stretching from Warrington to Wallasey and including Runcorn, Chester and rural areas.

He is a sports fan, particularly keen on rugby union and he enjoys walking and watching films.