Ashley vicar named as Church of England's first female Bishop

Reverend Libby Lane, who is vicar at St Elizabeth's in the village, will become Bishop Lane - the eighth Bishop of Stockport and takes over from Robert Atwell, who is now the Bishop of Exeter. 

She will serve in the Diocese of Chester.

She has been at St Elizabeth's since April 2007, and since January 2010 has also been Dean of Women in Ministry for the Diocese.

Pictured: Rev Libby Lane delivers a speech inside Stockport town hall after the announcement by the Church of England that she will be appointed as the first female bishop. Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

The new bishop was announced at Stockport Town Hall on Tuesday morning and will work also across Altrincham, Dukinfield, Hyde, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Sandbach, Stalybridge and Wilmslow.

The change to canon law was passed by an overwhelming majority with a show of hands at a meeting in London.

The decision came 20 years after the first women were ordained as Church of England priests.

Pictured: Rev Libby Lane delivers a speech inside Stockport town hall after the announcement by the Church of England that she will be appointed as the first female bishop. Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

Ms Lane said: "This is unexpected and very exciting. On this historic day as the Church of England announces the first woman nominated to be bishop, I am very conscious of all those who have gone before me, women and men, who for decades have looked forward to this moment.

"But most of all I am thankful to God.

"It is a remarkable day for me and I realise a historic day for the Church.

"I'm honoured and thankful to be called to serve as the next Bishop of Stockport and not a little daunted to be entrusted with such a ministry."

Pictured: Rev Libby Lane delivers a speech inside Stockport town hall after the announcement by the Church of England that she will be appointed as the first female bishop. Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby said: "I am absolutely delighted that Libby has been appointed to succeed Bishop Robert Atwell as bishop of Stockport. Her Christ-centred life, calmness and clear determination to serve the Church and the community make her a wonderful choice.

"She will be bishop in a diocese that has been outstanding in its development of people, and she will make a major contribution. She and her family will be in my prayers during the initial excitement, and the pressures of moving."

Mrs Lane, who was educated at St Peter's College, Oxford, and trained for the ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham, has been vicar at Hale and Ashley since 2007 and is married to the Rev George Lane, co-ordinating chaplain at Manchester Airport. They have two grown-up children.

The Church said her interests include being a school governor, encouraging social action initiatives, learning to play the saxophone, supporting Manchester United, reading and doing cryptic crosswords.

Pictured: Rev Libby Lane stands inside Stockport town hall after the announcement by the Church of England that she will be appointed as the first female bishop. Lynne Cameron/PA Wire