HUNDREDS of people will gather in Carlisle today for the enthronement ceremony for Bishop James Newcome.

And to ensure that as many people as possible are able to be involved, the service will take place both at Carlisle Cathedral and in nearby St Cuthbert’s Church.

Each congregation will have its own organist and choir to lead worship.

The service starts in St Cuthbert’s Church at 2pm, watched live via video link by the congregation in the cathedral, who will join in the service.

A procession will then move to the Carel Cross in the city centre for the new Bishop to be welcomed by the Mayor of Carlisle and James Cropper, the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria.

The cathedral will next host the enthronement, at which point worshippers in St Cuthbert’s will be able to take part in the remainder of the service through television screens.

Church leaders attending the enthronement include the bishops of Madras and Zululand, and from closer to home, county and civic leaders, as well as ecumenical representatives such as the president of Churches Together in Cumbria, Rev Rachel Poolman.