LEADING bookmakers Ladbrokes have tonight suspended betting on the Bishop of Durham being named the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Bets on the Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, succeeding in the role were suspended following a flurry of wagers which they believed were an indication of a leak that a decision had been made.

It has also been reported that bookmakers William Hill have also suspended betting.

Rt Rev Justin Welby, 56, has been one of the favourites to succeed Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury.

He read law and history at Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked for 11 years in the oil industry before leaving to train for the Anglican priesthood.

Among the other contenders are the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, and the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones.