Church leaders in Essex have welcomed the appointment of the Church of England’s first female bishop.

The Rev Libby Lane is to be consecrated as the new Bishop of Stockport, ending centuries of all-male leadership in the church.

The announcement came a month after the Anglican church’s General Synod formally adopted legislation allowing women bishops.

One churchwoman who was quick to welcome the announcement was the Ven Mina Smallman.

Ms Smallman made history herself in 2012, as the first woman to be appointed Archdeacon of Southend.

She said: “I think it is fantastic and for those of us, in senior positions, such as myself. What we want is the right person to be chosen.

“We want to recognise that, while she is a woman, the process was like any other and she was the right person for the post at that particular time.

“It is a huge challenge for the first women bishops and as with any situation, there will be people out there who will be dreading it happening.

“It is an important landmark, because the church is a little bit behind the world and I still think ethnic minority and disabled representation in the church is an area we need to focus on.”

The Rev Marian Sturrock, rector of Thundersley, said: “It is an important thing because we have worked hard to get this far and I hope she won’t be the only one.

“It is absolutely fantastic and now we have come up to date.”

Canvey vicar, the Rev Marion Walford, said the appointment was a cause for celebration in the Church.

She added: “It’s something people within the Church of England and our communities have been waiting a long time for, although there will be some who see this as a sad and difficult thing.

“It makes sense and enables the church to look other people in the eye.”

The leader of Essex’s Anglicans, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, said: “I am delighted Libby Lane is to be the first woman ordained bishop in the Church of England.

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know Libby through her involvement with the House of Bishops.

“She is a person of prayer and a wise and experienced priest.

“The Bible says in Christ there is no male or female. I am glad that will soon also be true for the bishops of the Church of England.”