The 77th Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev David Stancliffe has suffered a stroke.

The Reverend, 65, who was born in Devizes, took ill last weekend and went to Bournemouth Hospital where he is undergoing tests.

His engagements have been cancelled for the foreseeable future in a busy year during which Salisbury Cathedral is celebrating its 750th anniversary. Yesterday the Bishop of Sherborne Tim Thornton, who is taking on many of Dr Stancliffe's duties during his illness, said in a statement that the bishop had been undergoing several tests. He said: "He has obviously enjoyed visits from family and is keeping as cheerful as he can.

"Prayers have already been said for him both at the cathedral and at many other churches when news of his admittance to hospital had become quickly known.

"The bishop's family have stated that he is unable to receive visits at the present time. The bishop's diary has been cleared for the foreseeable future. Many of his planned engagements are being carried out by the bishops of Sherborne and Ramsbury.

"News of any developments of the bishop's condition will be announced as news is received from the hospital."

The bishop's collapse came just over a week after he welcomed South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu to Salisbury Cathedral as part of the celebrations to commemorate the completion of the main part of the building in 1258.

Born in 1942, he is a third generation family member to be ordained.

He initially studied classics and philosophy at Trinity College, Oxford, where he met future wife Sarah Smith, a fellow member of the choir.

They were married in July 1965 and have two daughters, Rachel born in 1968 and Hannah (1969), and a son Ben (1971). He also has eight grandchildren.

He was then appointed Provost of Portsmouth before becoming the Bishop of Salisbury in 1993.

He has further helped establish links between Salisbury and civil war ravaged Sudan, and accompanied the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on one of his missions there.