The bishop of Shrewsbury will quit his role and return to being a humble rural priest.

Mark Rylands, 56, said he needed to 'go and walk the talk' as he announced he would step down after more than eight years as bishop in Lichfield diocese.

'It will be sad to leave,' said Rylands. 'And for some it may seem a surprise move.

'But, for me, I have sensed God's beckoning to serve as a parish priest again. For the last 16 years, as both diocesan missioner and area bishop, much of my ministry has been to encourage, challenge and help churches and church leaders to embody and share the Good News of Jesus Christ in the local community. I have heard God calling me now to "go and walk the talk".'

Rylands was widely praised for his 'humble' move and to be priest-in-charge of the Ashburton and Moorland Team in Exeter diocese, where he will also be an assistant bishop.

'I am acutely aware that I have a great deal to learn in becoming a parish priest and am not unaware of the challenges I face,' he said. 'However, I have a heart for rural mission and ministry and am greatly looking forward to getting to know the people of Ashburton and the Moorland Team in Exeter Diocese, to seeing where God will lead us. I am slightly daunted but also know that, where God calls, he also equips.'

Rylands worked in the south-west as a team rector in the Bath and Wells diocese from 1997-2002 and then as a Canon Missioner in Exeter from 2002-09 before becoming Bishop of Shrewsbury.

He and his wife Mandy have family in the area, and Rylands said they were looking forward to caring for her 90-year-old father.

Dr Michael Ipgrave, the bishop of Lichfield, said Rylands would be missed and Paul Thomas, archdeacon of Salop, said his talents on the cricket field would be particularly missed after he led Lichfield diocese to the Church Times Cricket Cup final several times and to winning the trophy in 2010.

Dr Ipgrave said: 'Mark's energy, enthusiasm and imagination are a great witness to so many of the joy and hope which life in Christ can bring. His care for the clergy and people of his episcopal area is exemplary, and has been a source of encouragement and inspiration.

'He is an utterly trustworthy, supportive and kind colleague to me and to all who share in the leadership of this diocese.'