A former Bishop of Leicester has announced he is retiring next month.

Tom Butler is stepping down as the Anglican bishop of Southwark, in South London, on March 5 – his 70th birthday.

Dr Butler was the Bishop of Leicester from 1991 until 1998, and is known for regular appearances on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day.

The current Bishop of Leicester, Tim Stevens, said his predecessor's work in the diocese made a big difference to life in the city.

He said: "Bishop Tom Butler's time in Leicester was very important for the whole Church and diocese.

"He took a strong lead on inter-faith issues and took great care in steering the Church through the difficult years after the decision to ordain women. His leadership and wisdom made a massive contribution to the life of the diocese."

Born in Birmingham in 1940, Dr Butler attended the University of Leeds, where he obtained a first-class degree in science and a masters and doctorate in electronics.

He trained for ordination with the Mirfield Fathers at the College of the Resurrection in Yorkshire. After ordination in 1964, he served three years as a curate in Ely and Canterbury before spending 12 years as a chaplain and lecturer at the University of Zambia and the University of Kent at Canterbury.

His first role as bishop was in Willesden, London, where he served from 1985 until 1991.

He has served as the Church of England's General Synod representative on the Inner Cities Religious Council and is also the vice-chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council.