THE next Bishop of Chelmsford has urged people in his diocese not to vote for the British National Party in the forthcoming general election.

The Right Rev Steven Cottrell, the Bishop of Reading - who was named as the next Bishop of the Essex and East London Diocese - said the "Christian voice must counter racist voices".

Mr Cottrell was talking ahead of officially taking up the post in the autumn.

He was born and brought up in Leigh and although he has lived here since he was 18, he considers it his home.