THE former Bishop of Winchester has died aged 71.

The Right Reverend Michael Scott-Joynt served as the 96th bishop at the city's cathedral from 1995 until his retirement in 2011.

He was the post's longest serving incumbent in more than a century.

Paying tribute, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said the Church of England had “lost a faithful, hard working and distinguished servant”.

Bishop Scott-Joynt was a traditionalist who was vocal on standing up for traditional marriage and was ooposed to the introduction of civil partnerships.

He also chaired a Church of England committee in 2000 to relax the rules governing remarriage in church for people who have been divorced.

The Right Reverend Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester, has paid tribute to his predecessor.

In a statement, he said:“Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt died on Saturday afternoon. His family were with him and he had been anointed; two bishop colleagues had prayed with him.

“Michael led this Diocese with great integrity, both through his ministry and his strength of personality. I had the joy of working with him on a number of occasions before his retirement and then it was an honour to follow in his footsteps as Bishop of Winchester.

"Michael was a true servant for the Church of England at home and for the wider Anglican Communion abroad, particularly in Africa. He will long be remembered in our parishes and his presence sorely missed.

“Our prayers at this difficult time are with Lou and the family.”