HUNDREDS of people attended a farewell service for the Bishop of Rochester on Saturday.

Church leaders and civic VIPs were at Rochester Cathedral to mark the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali’s retirement.

He has stepped down after 15 years. When he was appointed in 1994 he was the first non-white diocesan bishop in the Church of England

Gillingham and Rainham Conservatives have hosted a farewell dinner for Bishop Nazir Ali

Speakers included Francis Maude MP, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey spoke about his support for the Church of England and particularly referred to his speeches at the start of every Synod. “He has a habit of bringing us back to earth! He will be very much missed”.

Dr Nazir Ali's successor has not yet been announced.