A BISHOP who was born in Somerset and educated in Wellington and Taunton has this week taken his seat in the House of Lords.

The Rt Rev Paul Williams, 54, who is Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, becomes one of 26 Lords Spiritual - senior Church of England bishops - in the upper chamber.

He was born in Weston-super-Mare and grew up in Somerset, where he attended Court Fields School, in Wellington, and Richard Huish College, in Taunton.

He studied theology at Grey College, Durham University, and trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

His late mother Heather later followed him into the priesthood after becoming the first female vicar.

The Rt Rev Williams previously served as Bishop of Kensington.