The bishop overseeing the Diocese of Newcastle says there are "real challenges" facing the Church in the coming months.

Speaking to the BBC, Rt Rev Mark Wroe, who is the Bishop of Berwick said the pandemic had made financial challenges worse.

Explaining that some churches may have fewer services and some may close, he said: "There are lots of difficult decisions coming up and we have been working out over the past two years what our next steps are.

He did however couple that concern with optimism around the opportunities the pandemic has brought to the Church.

"I'm hearing all sorts of wonderful stories about people who come to a service online and who then turn up a few weeks or months later and then become part of the church," he said.

"Some people are even coming and being baptised in the church because they've been captured by the message and want to become part of the community."

The Diocese of Newcastle is currently seeking a new bishop after Rt Rev Christine retired. It's expecting to appoint her successor later this year.