THE first female bishop appointed to the Church of England has insisted she is not just a "gesture".
In a historic move ending centuries of all-male leadership in the Church, the Rev Libby Lane was named as the new Bishop of Stockport.
The announcement comes a month after the General Synod formally adopted legislation allowing women bishops.
Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the "historic appointment" as an "important day for equality" and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, said he is "absolutely delighted".
A round of applause erupted in Stockport Town Hall as the announcement was made.
Mrs Lane said: "This announcement has been a long time coming and I'm extremely honoured to be nominated as the first bishop in the Church of England.
"This moment is significant but it is not simply a gesture. I'm the first but I won't be the only.
"And I follow in the footsteps of women across the Anglican Church and globally."
* ROLE: Bishop Libby Lane