Who is Libby Lane? A look at the Church of England's first woman bishop

The mother-of-two is a Manchester United supporter and enjoys playing the saxophone and doing crosswords. 

The 48-year-old was born Elizabeth Jane Holden in Glossop, Derbyshire in 1966.

She was educated at Manchester High School for girls before going on to study theology at St Peter's College, Oxford. 

Rev Lane began attending church with a friend at the age of 11 although her parents were not regular church-goers.

However she still admits that her family has heavily influenced her path.

She December she told The Telegraph: "They have taught me an enormous amount and gave me the expectation that all things are possible.

“When I got married, my dad, in his speech, referred to a JFK quote that some people look at the world and think ‘why?’, others look at the world and think ‘why not?’. 

"That sense of possibility I got from my family.”

After Oxford, she went on to study for ordination at Durham University's Cranmer Hall.

She was ordained a deacon in 1993 and a priest in 1994, and has additionally served several other posts.

After serving her curacy in Blackburn, Lancashire, she went on act as chaplain in a hospital and further education in the diocese of York.

She also served as a family life officer for the Committee for Social Responsibility in the diocese of Chester.

Rev Lane has has been vicar of St Peter's, Hale, and St Elizabeth's, Ashley, since 2007, as well as serving as the Dean of Women in Ministry in the Diocese of Chester."

She has been a bishop's selection advisor for a decade, helping with the selection of ordination candidates.

More than 22 years after women were allowed to become priests, the General Synod finally voted to all women bishops in July last year.

The move was rubber-stamped with a vote last November,

At the time Rev Lane said: "This is unexpected and very exciting.

"This announcement has been a long time coming and I'm extremely honoured to be nominated as the first bishop in the Church of England.

"And I'm very conscious of those who have gone before me, men and women…whose prayers and work in ministries have laid the work for today.

"But most of all I am thankful to God.

The 48-year-old is married to another priest, George – the pair were one of the first married couples in the Church of England to be ordained together.

The couple have two grown-up children, 20-year-old Connie and 18-year-old Benedict, who are currently in higher education.

According to her parish website, Rev Lane is a school governor and passionate about encouraging social action initiatives, learning to play the saxophone, supporting Manchester United, reading and doing cryptic crosswords.

A statement on St Peter's website reads: "Everyone at St Peter's Hale are delighted and very proud of Libby and know that she will make an excellent Bishop and wish her every success.

"We may be losing a Vicar but we are gaining a Bishop."

Rev Lane will be consecrated today at York Minster, before her installation on the March 8 at Chester Cathedral.