THE former Bishop of Winchester has died after a short illness.

The Rt Rev Colin James, 83, succumbed to a chest infection, confirmed a spokesman at Wolvesey, the bishop’s official home in Winchester last night. (FRI) Bishop Colin was the 95th Bishop of Winchester, holding the post from 1985-95.

He served at a time of turmoil in the Church of England with controversy over women priests and the modernisation of some forms of worship and the Bible.

He was a vicar in Bournemouth from 1967 to 1973 before becoming Bishop of Basingstoke from 1973-77 and then Wakefield until 1985.

The Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt replaced him and is still in post.