Tributes have been paid to the Archbishop of Canterbury as he prepares to leave office after a decade as head of the Church of England.
Dr Rowan Williams, 62, will step down at the end of this month as 104th Archbishop of Canterbury to take up the posts of Master of Magdalene College Cambridge and chairman of the board of trustees of Christian Aid.
During a turbulent 10 years, Dr Williams has fought to maintain unity amid rows over Church teaching on gay relationships.
He leaves the Church of England battling to resolve negotiations over the introduction of women bishops.
His tenure has featured interventions on issues such as the invasion of Iraq, Sharia law and government economic policy. Dr Williams will be replaced by the Rt Rev Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham.
Former prime minister Tony Blair called Dr Williams "loved and deeply respected", while the Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge called him "an outstanding archbishop."
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