The new Bishop of Oxford was inaugurated Friday at a service at the city's Christ Church Cathedral.

The Right Reverend John Pritchard said prior to the service: "I know some people today will think the ceremony is a little bit Gilbert and Sullivan, but most people are proud of the way England and the Church maintain these traditions."

About 800 people gathered at the service, with highlights later placed on the diocesan website.

Rt Rev Pritchard, former Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow and former Archdeacon of Canterbury, will replace Richard Harries to lead Anglicans in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The event involved a procession through the streets of Oxford before the Rt Rev Pritchard was formally admitted to the cathedral to become the 42nd bishop.

The service of inauguration will be followed by a number of other 'services of welcome' across the diocese during the next few weeks.