One of the most senior bishops in the Church of England has spoken of his regret at the resignation of Sunderland Echo editor Rob Lawson.

Rob, pictured left, quit his role on Friday after a decade in charge of the Johnston Press owned title.

The move has since sparked an unprecedented reaction from church leaders, with Bishop of Durham the Rt Revd Justin Welby calling him an “exceptional editor” whose departure was “much to be regretted.”

Senior clergy from the Church of England diocese have also spoken out over the announcement of 81 job losses at JP’s Sunderland printing plant, calling it “bad news” for the city.

The closure of the Sunderland plant was announced to staff on Thursday, the day before Rob revealed he was leaving.

The Echo carried the story of the job losses together with the church’s reaction in today’s edition.

Bishop Welby, tipped as a contender for the job of Archbishop of Canterbury, said:  “Local newspapers are essential to local communities. Their health is measured by their local participation in the economy and in reporting.

“The loss of an exceptional editor, and the moving of printing to Sheffield, are bad news for Sunderland and the North East, and much to be regretted.”

Archdeacon of Sunderland Stuart Bain added: ”My dealings with Rob have demonstrated his passion for the City and for the welfare of the people of Sunderland which need to be at the heart of any local newspaper.

“I realise that the voice of the newspaper is a team effort but this will be a hard act to follow”.

And Canon Sheila Bamber, Canon Provost of Sunderland Minster said: “Just when we were starting to see some green shoots of improvement in things a wave of closures and redundancies have been announced signalling a worrying trend in the opposite direction.

“This is very bad news for Sunderland and Wearside”.

Commenting on HTFP’s report on his departure, Rob denied there was any link with the print plant closure.

He said on Friday: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of readers and the folk of Sunderland since I made my announcement this morning.

“However, I think it only fair to say there is no connection between my departure and the proposed closure of the Sunderland Press.

“My leaving was agreed last week, and the Press proposal was revealed only yesterday.”

Most of the work at the plant, which prints the Echo along with sister titles the Hartlepool Mail and Shields Gazette, is to be moved to Sheffield, a 250-mile round-trip away.

As a result it is understood that senior editorial staff at three papers have been told they may be forced to bring forward their deadlines.