THE new Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, has put rural issues at the heart of his ministry.

The former suffragan Bishop of Warwick was named as the man for the city post at a conference yesterday.

Fifty-five-year-old Bishop Anthony takes over from the Rt Rev John Oliver, who retired last November.

"I'm really looking forward to moving to Hereford," he said.

"It's the heart of the countryside, a rural landscape the church already serves well.

"My wife and I are greatly looking forward to exploring the diocese and learning more about it."

While he is not expected to take up his post until later this year, his first duty yesterday was to launch the report Farming and The Catering Trade, the result of a conference held by the former bishop.

"I'm well aware of the key role played by the church in Hereford diocese in leading the way on a number of rural issues," said Bishop Anthony.

"Support for farmers and all aspects of rural life is vital, not just for rural England, but for the sake of the whole country.

"I greatly welcome this report and I'm sure it will make a significant contribution to finding the best ways to promote local sourcing of produce, which is so much needed."

The Diocese of Hereford made history when, for the first time, an advertisement was placed in the Press inviting people to suggest the best man for the job.

About 50 names were given, with strong views about the type of man needed to lead the most rural diocese in the Church of England.

Bishop Anthony has spent most of his career in the Oxford Diocese and was made an honorary Canon of Oxford Cathedral in 1995, a year before being consecrated Bishop of Warwick, in Coventry Diocese, in 1996.

He is a board member of West Midlands Life - the regional cultural consortium - as well as co-chairman of Family Life and Marriage Education. He also serves on the Child Protection Liaison Group.

Bishop Anthony is married to Kathy,

a professional artist, and his interests include golf and rugby. The couple have three children.