Vicars have welcomed Monday's decision to allow women bishops.

Church of England representatives from Malling, Maidstone and the Weald have all heralded the vote as the right choice.

The General Synod, which is the Church's parliament, made the decision despite opposition from traditionalists.

The Priest-in -charge of St George's Church in Benenden, Rev Canon Dr Charles Hill, said: "There are still very difficult decisions to make on the matter, it isn't yet over. I think that giving women the opportunity is a good thing but we need to make sure people's different sensitivies are protected."

The Synod did approve measures to reassure opponents but refused to compromise with traditionalists by allowing 'super-bishops', which would oversee parishes opposed to female bishops.

The Priest-in-charge at St George's Church, Wrotham, Rev Brenda Hurd, said: "It is definitely the right thing to do.

"The world has had a queen as head of the Church of England, a woman prime minister and women holding high ranks in the Armed Forces."

Mrs Hurd went on to say that working as a woman priest had been a good thing and she hoped any women now ordained as bishops would have the same experience.