NOTTINGHAMSHIRE could be the first place in the country for a woman bishop to take her seat.
The Church of England is expected to appoint its first female bishop next year, according to a senior figure in the organisation.
And the first vacancy to be filled in 2015 will be in Southwell, followed by Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle.
The general secretary of the General Synod, William Fittall has said he expects the Church of England to pass an amendment to law allowing the move "in minutes" at its next meet in November.
He said: "When you have half the human race not eligible even for consideration, at the point at which they do become eligible there are manifestly people who might well have been considered in the past.
"So there is a whole system and that does include women in relation to archdeacons and deans but up to now bishops haven't been able to say 'This particular female priest would be very suitable as a bishop'.
"So I would be surprised, personally, if we didn't have the first announcement in 2015."
Musician Jeanie O'Shea of Beeston said:"Of course I believe in equal opportunities, it's a no brainer - in work in any sphere. "Religion for me is somewhat irrelevant in modern life when science disproves a large part of what they believe. "The soul and spirituality is sexless and people's ability to express love, tolerance and moral guidance is not reliant in any way on their private parts." Sarah Kearns, 50, of Newark, said:"It is about time we had women bishops. "I hope a young person is also brought in because that could bring people back to the church." Independent trader Emma Smith of Mansfield added: "I'm all for women bishops. "Women have equal rights, women lead successful, corporate careers and I see no reason why they shouldn't be bishops to be honest. "It is about time the Church became a little more modern and came out of their draconian ways." The church's General Synod is to meet on November 17 and 18.
