NINE-year-old William Godley got the chance to find out what it's like to be the Bishop of Oxford for a day.

William, who attends St Ebbe's Primary School, in Whitehouse Road, South Oxford, helped the Rt Rev John Pritchard with a service to mark the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Christ Church.

A special invitation went out to Oxfordshire couples who married the same year to attend Tuesday's service.

William's temporary elevation was part of today's 11 Million Takeover Day, which is seeing children across the country taking over adult roles.

William said: "I really enjoyed being a bishop for the day - and visiting the Cathedral."

The day is an initiative by the Children's Commissioner for England, Prof Sir Al Aynsley-Green, as a way of hearing the voices of England's 11 million children and young people.

Other churches have taken part in the initiative by allowing children to plan and lead Sunday worship.

Last Sunday, in St Matthew's, Oxford, and St John the Baptist, Bodicote, services were conducted by young people.

Bishop John said: "We can all learn from an exercise such as this. What better way to find out whether we are giving our children what they need to grow and become the leaders of tomorrow than to let them show us the way?"

Yvonne Morris, children's adviser for the diocese, added: "This day offers an excellent opportunity to challenge the expectations and perceptions adults have of children."

Sir Al said: "There are times when the ways in which children are represented are unfairly negative and 11 Million Takeover Day allows their qualities to come to the forefront."