Capital bishop plans to retire

BISHOP of Edinburgh the Right Rev Brian Smith is to retire next year.

In a letter to the clergy of the diocese, he said he intended to step down on August 15, his 68th birthday.

Bishop Smith succeeded Richard Holloway as leader of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Capital in 2001.

He had previously been Bishop of Tonbridge in Kent, but was born in Edinburgh, educated at George Heriot's and met his wife Lissa at Edinburgh University.

He is the longest serving of the church's seven bishops.