Church of England worshippers in Wharfedale have been told the name of their new Bishop.

The Bishop of Pontefract, the Right Reverend David James, has been announced as the new Bishop of Bradford.

The 57-year-old will succeed the Right Reverend David Smith who retires after ten years in the post, on July 31.

Bishop David was introduced to his new diocese this week at two press conferences, one in Bradford and one at Skipton Auction Mart, where he was welcomed by local councillors, clergymen and schoolchildren.

He said: "I'm both excited and daunted to have been chosen as the ninth Bishop of Bradford. Everything I've heard about the diocese encourages me - it's a diocese in good heart with outstanding clergy.

"It's a pivotal time to be coming, both for Bradford Metropolitan District and for the rural areas of the diocese. I am heartened by the response of the churches here at times of crisis over the last couple of years, and I'm equally impressed by their current contribution to both urban regeneration and the rural recovery after foot and mouth. I'm certainly confident in the future of the Diocese."

Bishop David has been Bishop of Pontefract, Suffragan Bishop in the Wakefield Diocese, for the last four years. He has had a varied parish ministry which has included university parishes and deprived council estates, and has ministered to congregations ranging from 40 to 800 people.

The Venerable Malcolm Grundy, Archdeacon of Craven, says: "Bishop David brings a wide range of experience to our Diocese. He knows both parish and academic life and will enliven our thinking about the future.

"His interest in children and young people will encourage parishes who are making new contacts through schools and midweek activities. We welcome this announcement and look forward to him and his family coming to live and work with us."

Bishop David did a lot of work in secondary schools during his time in Pontefract, and says he wants to continue that focus in his new position. He said: "I want the Church to have a bias towards children and young adults. They should be the Church of today as much as older people. The many young people I have met in secondary schools are open to spiritual things and are not antagonistic to the Christian message."

The Bishop is married to Gill and has four daughters, Joanna, Kate, Lucy and Rachel. He is due to take up his new post around Christmas time.