SHE must have been the youngest “bishop” in the country.

Nine-year-old Ophelia Wells was given the honour of swapping places with the Lord Bishop of Portsmouth Kenneth Stevenson during the festive season.

The schoolgirl, from Gosport, was an honorary bishop in a swap that revives a medieval church tradition.

Ophelia preached sermons at St John’s Church in Forton, near Andover, as well as leading a Sunday service.

She also visited the bishop’s home to present him with a scroll decreeing that he had no jurisdiction over the parish of St John’s during December. Vicar of St John’s, the Reverend Carrie Thompson, said: “In medieval times, they used to invert the whole organisation of the church in cathedrals and parish churches from St Nicholas’ Day, December 6, onwards.

“The youngest chorister became bishop, the bishop and canons of the cathedral would swap places with them, and the children were allowed to make the rules. It’s the first time we have done it at St John’s.”

Ophelia added: “I’m going to make it a rule that children will get a turn to ring our church bell.”