Everybody attending the service to welcome the new Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, to the diocese will now be able to join together in Truro Cathedral.

The decision has been taken to live-broadcast the event, on Saturday, January 12, to St Mary’s Aisle within the cathedral itself, instead of into the nearby Truro Methodist Church as had earlier been planned.

The Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Roger Bush, said: “One of the difficulties of organising an event like this with an open invite was that we weren’t entirely sure how many people would attend. Because we have staggered the sending of invitations throughout the diocese, we have been able to keep a fairly close eye on numbers.

“We have had nearly a thousand people who have responded, said they want to come and have been sent tickets, but we believe we can open St Mary’s Aisle in the cathedral and accommodate several dozen more people in there – avoiding the congregation having to be split across two sites. Although you cannot see the altar from St Mary’s Aisle, we are arranging for the service to be broadcast onto large television screens in that aisle. So the people there will be able to enjoy the full experience of the music and the cathedral atmosphere.

“We hope this will offer the most enjoyable and meaningful experience for everybody who comes along.”

Entry to the event is by ticket only. Tickets can be obtained by emailing bishopswelcome@trurocathedral.org.uk. A few tickets will be available from the cathedral office in the Old Cathedral School which will be open until 11am on Saturday morning before the service.