The Dean of Lichfield Cathedral Adrian Dorber is standing down next year

The Dean, aged 70, has been in post since 2005 and was also chairman of the Association of English Cathedrals.

The Bishop of Lichfield Michael Geoffrey Ipgrave OBE led tributes to the Dean, who will retire on March 31 and have a farewell service on Sunday, February 19.

Bishop Michael said: “Adrian has served the cathedral, the wider community of Lichfield and our diocese with great commitment, faith and passion for the past 17 years and we will be sad to see him leave but happy for him in his well-earned retirement.