The Bishop of Worcester gave his "heartfelt thanks" to clergy and parishioners from across the diocese at his special farewell service at Worcester Cathedral.

Bishop John Inge's goodbye service was attended by clergy and parishioners from across the diocese, as well as notable figures including the Bishop of Dudley, the Bishops of Manchester and Norwich, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, and the Mayor of Worcester.

Bishop John, in his sermon, said: "I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you here – and many others beside – who have been such a support and encouragement to me in my nearly 17 years as bishop.

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"I feel that I have received so much more than I have given.

"I am profoundly grateful – to you and to God."

Serving as the 113th Bishop of Worcester since March 2008, Bishop John's retirement on Wednesday, October 9 will mark the end of his public ministry in the diocese.

He has been the chief pastor for parishes, served in the House of Lords since 2012, and acted as Lord High Almoner to the Queen and then the King from 2013.

He also referred back to his sermon at his enthronement, where he spoke about the "three hums" that should characterise Christian life: humility, humanity, and humour.

(Image: James Atkinson) He said: "I pray that we shall all be given grace to embrace the three hums and, as we do so, may God bless this diocese of Worcester richly in its life and witness, may it really hum."

During the service, Bishop John laid down the diocesan crozier on the altar.

The staff, a symbol of pastoral care and succession, will be passed on to the 114th Bishop of Worcester when they are appointed.

Bishop John and his wife H-J were also presented with gifts following a collection in the diocese.

They will be retiring to Wiltshire.

During the vacancy, the Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick, will become acting diocesan bishop.

The process to find the next Bishop of Worcester has started, but an announcement on Bishop John’s successor is not expected until next summer at the earliest.