THE EastEnders theme tune ushered the Bishop of Taunton into a service to mark his retirement.

The Rt Rev Peter Maurice, who has left after 40 years of ministry, was presented with a West Ham onesie in honour of his favourite football team.

Bishop Pete had been in post since 2006 after three years as Archdeacon of Wells and a Canon of Wells Cathedral.

At his farewell service in the cathedral on Saturday, the Dean of Wells Cathedral said Bishop Peter had developed his own “warm, earthy, deeply reflective and prayerful” style.

Dean John said the Bishop was a fan of soaps, which he often referred to in his sermons.

He added: “Peter is patient and observant – as all West Ham supporters must learn to be.

“He sees heaven in the ordinary and a particular gift is that the responsibility of his role sits very lightly.”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Other speakers included Charley Thomas, Dean of Lusaka, and the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells, who presented Bishop Peter and his wife, Liz, with a gift from the diocese, before leading a standing ovation.

Other gifts included a special edition of the diocesan magazine, Manna.

Later on Saturday, Bishop Peter tweeted: “Can't possibly describe how thankful I feel as I reflect on a very special day #thegodwhocallsisfaithful.”

Bishop Peter, who was ordained in 1975, and his wife are retiring to the South-East to be nearer to their three adult children.

Before coming to Somerset, he trained for the ministry at Mirfield, in the Southwark diocese, before becoming a curate in Wandsworth and serving in parishes in Mortlake, Rotherhithe and Tooting.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Last year he engaged with flood-hit communities on the Somerset Levels and commissioned a report on how the diocese and its network of parishes can provide more immediate and effective support in future.