OXFORD'S new bishop, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, is planning to visit the Rt Rev Richard Harries to seek advice on the best way to tackle his new job.

Bishop John arrived in the Oxford diocese in style on Monday in a new Mini borrowed from the Cowley plant so he could make a tour of the county.

The 58-year-old dropped in at Christ Church to meet staff, following the announcement that he will succeed the Rt Rev Richard Harries, who retired in June after 19 years in office.

Bishop John, 58, is currently Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham and as Bishop of Oxford, he will lead the Church of England in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

And the first thing he will do, before he officially starts his new role this summer, will be to visit his predecessor to pick his brains on the role he held for almost two decades.

Bishop John, a father-of-two, said: "I will go and see him and ask him how to do it - I respect his wisdom greatly.

"I have huge admiration for Bishop Richard. I have read his books for donkey's years but I shall have to be myself, and I offer myself in humility. I look forward to being part of this wonderful diocese in the summer."

Bishop John, pictured, added that he would not "court controversy", but would be prepared to enter arenas of controversy if the need arose.

He is likely to try to avoid a repeat of the issue which threatened a split in the Oxford Diocese in 2003, when the Rt Rev Harries appointed gay but celibate Canon Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading in 2003. Following the controversy, Dr John declined to accept the post.

Bishop John said: "Here was a man of immense ability, a man of Godliness, a man who would have made a good bishop but he had to represent the unity of the Church and it became difficult for him to occupy that place.

"The Church does not accept that homosexual practice is compatible with scripture, but it also says we have to listen to each other. My plea is for a Godly conversation to go on."

Bishop John, a law graduate of Oxford's St Peter's College, was commended to the Queen by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Crown Nominations Commission, which included six people elected to represent the diocese. The appointment followed extensive public consultation.

Penny Keens, who chaired the Vacancy-in-See Committee, said: "Bishop John has a track record as a leader in mission. We warmly welcome his appointment."

Bishop John's ministry in Oxford will begin with a service of inauguration early next summer. The date has not yet been set. He is married to Wendy and the couple have two daughters, Amanda, 30, and Nicola, 29.

He will continue to live at his predecessor's home in Linton Road in Oxford.