The Diocese of Chester has made history.

After centuries of exclusively male bishops and decades of debate about the ordination of women priests, the Anglican church’s first female bishop in the UK has been appointed in Stockport.

The Rev Libby Lane, already a vicar in the diocese and its dean of women in ministry since 2010, has become the first woman bishop in the history of the Church of England.

Her appointment was announced by 10 Downing Street today (Wednesday, December 17), just a month after years of argument within the church over permitting women bishops was finally settled.

Aged 48, the bishop elect is married to the Rev George Lane, 46, co-ordinating chaplain at Manchester Airport. They have two adult children.

She said: “It’s a great honour to be nominated as bishop elect to the See of Stockport.

“I am grateful for, though somewhat daunted by, the confidence placed in me by the Diocese of Chester. This is unexpected and very exciting.

“On this historic day as the Church of England announces the first woman nominated to be bishop, I am very conscious of all those who have gone before me, women and men, who for decades have looked forward to this moment.”

The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster, said: “Libby has had a varied and distinguished ministry and is currently a first-rate parish priest. She has already demonstrated her ability to contribute nationally through her representative role in the House of Bishops on behalf of the north-west England dioceses.

“As the first woman bishop in the Church of England she will face many challenges.

“I have no doubt that she has the gifts and determination to be an outstanding bishop.

“I am delighted at her designation as Bishop of Stockport after a lengthy process of discernment across the Church of England and beyond.”

In 2012 Dr Forster was one of only two members of the House of Bishops to abstain from voting for or against draft legislation by the General Synod to allow women bishops.

Two years later, due to a private family occasion, Bishop Peter was unable to attend the General Synod for the historic vote which gave final approval for women to become bishops in the Church of England.

The Bishop of Chester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster

Libby has served as assistant diocesan director of ordinands in the Diocese of Chester, advising and supporting those considering a vocation to ministry in the church. She continues to be a bishop’s selection advisor.

She has also been family life officer for the committee for social responsibility in the diocese.

Her interests include being a school governor, encouraging social action initiatives, learning to play the saxophone, supporting Manchester United, reading and doing cryptic crosswords.

Women priests were first ordained in the Church of England 20 years ago.