Churchgoers in Oxfordshire have just a few weeks left to help choose who should be the next Bishop of Oxford.

The Rt Rev Richard Harries retires in June and the selection process is now under way to appoint his successor.

Once a candidate has been chosen, the recommendation of the Crown Nominations Commission will be passed to the Prime Minister and then to the Queen.

Last week, William Chapman, secretary for Prime Minister's Appointments, who is a non-voting member of the commission, urged churchgoers to write in with their suggestions in the next three weeks.

These suggestions can then be considered in good time for a meeting of the commission on Thursday, June 1, the day before the outgoing Bishop retires on his 70th birthday.

Mr Chapman said: "The new Bishop is likely to be named after the summer holidays.

"The candidate could come from anywhere in the Anglican Communion worldwide, and he might take a week to decide or he might take a month because when a candidate is offered a bishopric, it is obviously a big decision to take."

Consultation on who should be the new bishop began last month. Views should be sent to the Crown Nominations Commission, c/o Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 ONB.