THE Right Reverend Philip Goodrich, the former Bishop of Worcester, has died at Hereford County Hospital after a short illness.

Tributes have been paid by the current Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, and the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev John Oliver, who both spoke of their shock at the news.

Bishop Philip served as Bishop of Worcester from 1982 to 1996, retiring to Sutton St Nicholas near Hereford, where he continued to take services in local churches and assisted the Bishop of Hereford with confirmations.

Philip Goodrich was born in 1929 and brought up in East Anglia. He studied at St John's College, Cambridge and trained for ordination at Cuddesdon College, Oxford. He was ordained deacon in 1954 and priested the following year, serving his curacy in Rugby and then becoming Chaplain of St John's College, Cambridge, in 1957.

He went on to serve in Lincoln Diocese and in Bromley before becoming the Suffragan Bishop of Tonbridge in 1973.

As well as his work in the Worcester Diocese, Bishop Philip was also chairman of The Children's Society, was the Bishop with particular concern for the Society of St Francis and served in the House of Lords.

Dr Selby described his predecessor's "gracious humour" and the "warmth of affection" with which he was held in the Diocese.

"There is much grief and shock around at the moment, and with it, a great deal of thankfulness for the life of ministry of a fine Christian and pastoral bishop," he said.

Bishop Philip is survived by his wife Margaret, whom Dr Selby praised for "the huge contribution she made to his life and work", and four grown up daughters, Joanna, Philippa, Rosalind and Olivia.

Rt Rev Oliver said the Diocese was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the news.

"His death is a great tragedy for his wife and family and for the wider church," he said.

Funeral details will be announced at a later date.