THE new Bishop of Taunton was given a bubbly welcome by the Bath and Wells Diocese on Saturday.

The Rt Rev Peter Maurice's two passions - the ministry of the Church and West Ham football club - came together at a formal service in Wells Cathedral.

At the end of the event, a stream of soap bubbles suddenly appeared above the nave altar and the choirs and congregation burst into the Hammers' song I'm for ever blowing bubbles'.

Bishop Peter, 55, said when he was appointed: "I still have an absolute passion for ministry that I will bring to my new job."

But he still hopes to find time to follow West Ham's fortunes.

During the service the former Archdeacon of Wells was presented with his pastoral staff by Diana Taylor, Lay Chairman of the Diocesan Synod, and a cope by his wife, Liz, and the Archdeacon of Taunton, the Ven John Reed.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price anointed him with oil and presented him with his mitre.

Bishop Peter said in his sermon: "Life is the continuing gift of God to his people, but it is not a gift we can lock away safely for our own use but a gift that we share with others.

"We can't live in isolation concerned only with our own faith. We must live the life of community."

Among his first duties, Bishop Peter is taking over leadership of the Diocesan mission strategy Changing Lives, Changing Churches for Changing Communities and he told the 650 strong congregation: "It is the strength of God made perfect in human weakness that will change lives and change churches in changing communities."