THE next Bishop of Southampton has today been announced as the Revd Canon Jonathan Frost.

Downing Street has this morning confirmed Canon Frost will take the title following approval of his nomination by the Queen.

The Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, this morning welcomed the announcement that Canon Frost will join his team as an area bishop covering the southern part of the Diocese of Winchester.

Bishop Michael, said: "I look forward to welcoming and Commissioning him for his ministry in the Diocese in the context of Evensong on December 4."

Canon Frost will join the Diocese in November.

Today the chosen Bishop will make a tour of projects in the Diocese including a Christian children's residential holiday project in Christchurch and meetings with civic leaders and representatives from other faith groups.

Jonathan Frost, 45, grew up in Surrey and has served as a Residentiary Canon of Guildford Cathedral for the last eight years alongside his work as Chaplain to Surrey University.

He will move to the Diocese of Winchester with his wife Christine and their three teenage children and will have a responsibility for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Eastleigh, the New Forest, Romsey, Southampton and the areas in between.

Jonathan will be consecrated as a Bishop in the Church of England at St Paul's Cathedral, London on Tuesday, November 30.

He will be formally commissioned and welcomed into the Diocese of Winchester as the new Bishop of Southampton at the Evensong Service at Winchester Cathedral on Saturday, December 4.