Bishop O'Donoghue say Barrow will benefit from the sale

Cash from the sale of the Bishop of Lancaster's house, which is valued at up to �1m, will go towards projects to help the poor across his diocese.

Parts of Barrow have been earmarked for some of the money.

Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, whose diocese covers Cumbria and Lancashire, has pledged to strip himself of many of the trappings of his job and spend more time with his priests and people.

Bishop's House, a Victorian mansion set in an acre of land at Cannon Hill, Lancaster, was put on the market on Monday.

Bishop O'Donoghue said: "My old home may be worth up to a million, but I've no desire whatsoever to be a millionaire myself.

"I intend the money that is raised from the sale to be spent on various projects for the poor throughout the diocese.

"I want to better the work we're doing for drug addicts, alcoholics, the homeless, and people who have special needs.

"Not a penny will go into my own pocket."

The Bishop is to move into a humble three-room flat.

He has promised to leave a sum to his successor to buy "a simple dwelling" if he should not want to live in this flat.