More than 600 bishops and archbishops from all over the world start gathering in Canterbury today for the Lambeth Conference.

Kent University is hosting the event, which is being held against a background of controversy over the ordination of homosexual priests and women bishops.

Around 150 bishops are boycotting the conference which runs until August 4. Campaign group Fathers4Justice says the event is a posisble target for them.

Controverial gay bishop the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, who has been barred from the main conference, will attend a fringe meeting at the university on Monday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will give the opening address tomorrow in Canterbury Cathedral, where there will be a service for all delegates on Sunday.

The Lambeth Conference is held every 10 years for Church leaders to join together in reflection, prayer, discussion and Bible study.

Meetings will be held at the university where the delegates and their spouses are staying.

Ch Insp Lee Russell, who is in charge of security, said: "We have security measures in place."