"On behalf of the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the people of Somerset, Bishop Ruth and I would like to express our sorrow at the news of the death of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip was greatly respected, and well known and loved for his wide range of interests. He had an immense dedication to public service and he approached everyone he met and every duty he engaged in with cheerfulness and good humour.

On the few occasions I have been fortunate to meet him I was impressed by his depth and breadth of knowledge on a huge range of subjects, and his commitment to duty. We thank God today for his long life and his dedicated service.

His loss will of course be felt most heavily by Her Majesty the Queen and his family and we remember them in our prayers today and in the coming days and weeks."

Bishop Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells; Bishop Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton

Updates on services in Somerset to mark the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will be posted on the diocesan website.