Right Reverend Andrew Watson, the Bishop of Guildford, has revealed he has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

In a letter to people across his diocese, Watson said he had been having "a persistent band of pain" in his stomach, which left him not wanting to eat and losing weight.

He said he was told last month that he had a "substantial" tumour in his pancreas, which had been "interacting" with his spinal cord and central nervous system.

He added that a scan had found smaller lesions on his liver. Bishop Andrew added: "The results of further investigations - a biopsy and MRI scan - came through last Thursday, revealing both the primary tumour and the secondaries to be cancerous and inoperable."

He said he expected to undergo chemotherapy "to make life a little more comfortable".

Watson said: "I am hoping to be able to fulfil my responsibilities as Bishop of Guildford for a while longer (with Easter as my first landmark) whilst recognising too that any decision we make at this point is necessarily provisional.

"We will make alternative arrangements if I need to step back."

The speed of events since the New Year had been a "severe" shock, Watson said, adding there had been "plenty" of tears.

"Those with great faith might wish to pray for my complete healing, and that, of course, would be wonderful," he said.

"But cheerfully persisting towards a good death also bears testimony to our living Lord."

Ending the missive, he said: "Whatever the future holds, I remain deeply grateful to God for the journey of the past 64 years."

The Diocese of Guildford said Watson was "currently awaiting further information regarding medical options to support his comfort and care" and he had advised colleagues he hoped to continue his responsibilities "as long as his health permits".

Click on the attached document to read Bishop Andrew's letter.