More women than men have started training for Church of England priesthood

It is the first time men have been outnumbered since 2001, when 238 entered training for ordained ministry compared to 243 women.

More British women than men are starting training as priests for the first time in 16 years, the Church of England said.

Of the 544 people in this autumn's intake - which is the biggest since 2007 - some 274 ordinands are women while 270 are men, according to data from the Church of England's Ministry Division.