A new 'assistant' Bishop has been appointed by the Pope to work alongside the Bishop of Leeds, whose diocese covers the Bradford area.

Dewsbury-born Bishop Arthur Roche, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, will be coadjutor Bishop for Leeds with the right of succession when the current Bishop, the Right Reverend David Konstant, retires.

A coadjutor bishop works alongside, and shares responsibility with, the diocesan bishop. In addition, Bishop Roche, 52, will have his own particular areas of work, both nationally and locally.

Born in Batley Carr, Bishop Roche spent his early part of the ministry as a priest in Yorkshire, but has worked outside the diocese for the last 11 years. He took over the position yesterday and will move into the diocese on Monday, September 16.

Included in the Diocese of Leeds are Bradford, Otley, Ilkley, Settle, Skipton, Keighley and Dewsbury. Bishop Roche said: "I feel very honoured to have been appointed by the Holy Father as Coadjutor Bishop of Leeds. Having been chosen as Auxiliary Bishop for Westminster only a year ago, I had not expected it. It is with a sense of expectation and hope that I return to serve and join my fellow priests and the people of Yorkshire, where I was born."

Bishop Konstant said: "I am thrilled at his appointment."