An independent reviewer has recommended greater support for ‘Flying Bishops’ in the Church of England.

Flying Bishops - or Provincial Episcopal Visitors (PEVs) - offer oversight for traditional parishes which do not subscribe to women in leadership, which are situated in dioceses with a female Bishop.

The independent reviewer, Canon Maggie Swinson, said the Bishops of Beverley and Ebbsfleet are overstretched in their current capacity.

Rt Rev Stephen Race, the Bishop of Beverley, oversees complementarian parishes across the North of England. The number under his remit has increased since the retirement of the former Bishop of Wakefield, Tony Robinson.

Rt Rev Rob Munro, the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, oversees complementarian parishes “across the whole of England singlehandedly”, and does not have anyone who can deputise for him.

Canon Swinson noted that both men have to travel large distances to cover the rural areas they serve.

She recommended that they receive extra support as soon as possible.