THE Archdeacon of Worcester, Dr Joy Tetley, could be the first woman bishop in the Church of England.

Anglican Church leaders meeting at the General Synod this week decided that the process to start ditching the rules and traditions which make Bishops a male-only enclave should begin.

And tipped for nomination is the Worcester cleric, The Ven Dr Joy Tetley, who joined the diocese in 1999.

She has long been in favour of broadening the post, and has been a high level advisor to church leaders on the women bishop issue since 2001.

In a report of findings from the Women In the Episcopate working party, the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, said many people thought that as a matter of justice, women should now be eligible for episcopal appointments.

The first step will be a detailed debate within the Anglican church later this year.

Dr Tetley entered the priesthood in 1994 - the first year women could be ordained into the Anglican Church. This meant she was able to preside over the consecration of the bread and wine used in communion.

Despite the strong majority in favour of further debate at the General Synod, there are still a number of hurdles to overcome before the measure is put before Parliament and made law.

But members admit women bishops could be in place within five years.

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby has said he is in favour: "I hope the study (of the report) will be thorough. But also that the decision of the Church will be swift and positive."

And in Worcester yesterday, public opinion was supportive of the idea of women bishops.

"We've had a woman vicar conduct all our marriages and christenings and things and she's been very good. Women would make just as good bishops as men," said Sharon Lamb, aged 36, from Droitwich.

"Things have changed. Perhaps 20 years ago would not have been the right time but now it is perfectly acceptable," said Malcolm Andrews, aged 61 from Halesowen.

"And now they've been vicars for a while they have had the experience to move up," said his wife, Denise aged 55.

Dr Tetley wasn't available for comment, but has been quoted saying: "For me, that debate is about the best use of God-given human resources.

"I pray that, before too long, there will be women bishops in a Church of England holding together confidently as a sign of hope in a divided world."