The Church of England is to fast-track black and ethnic minority clergy into senior positions after fears of institutional racism.

Black and Asian Anglicans are to be talent-spotted for leadership roles in the Church of England after growing concern that under 3 per cent of clergy are from ethnic minorities.

A "talent pool" is to be identified next year for training and mentoring as part of the new leadership programme in the Church.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is aiming to transform church leadership and the first talent pool of potential bishops and archdeacons has already been selected, but fewer than one in ten were from ethnic minorities. A second group is currently being chosen. The third group is to be drawn specifically from black, Asian and minority ethnic clergy, according to The Guardian.

The only black diocesan bishop is Uganda-born Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu. There is just one cathdral dean and just three archdeacons from ethnic minority groups.

Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell said Dr Sentamu's rise had almost lulled people into a false sense of security. "It's embarrassing that we are going backwards on this issue rather than forwards."

Bishop of Rochester James Langstaff, who chairs a group aimed at doubling the number of senior ethnic minority clergy in ten years, said was an urgent need to challenge bias. He said that some people hesitate to use the language of institutional racism. "We also speak of conscious or unconscious bias, which is slightly less emotive. But it is, in my view, undeniable that there is racism within the system, because gifted people have not found their way into senior leadership."