ROWAN Williams is to step down after 10 years as Archbishop of Canterbury to take up a new post as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Dr Williams, 61, will leave at the end of December in time to start his new role next January.

Lambeth Palace said the Queen, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, has been informed.

Dr Williams, formerly Bishop of Monmouth, was confirmed as 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion in December 2002, said that occupying the post had been an "enormous’’ privilege.

He described the Church of England as a "great treasure’’ which was still a place where many people sought inspiration and comfort in times of need.

"I would like the successor that God would like," he said.

"I think that it is a job of immense demands and I would hope that my successor has the constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros, really.

"But he will, I think, have to look with positive, hopeful eyes on a Church which, for all its problems, is still for so many people, a place to which they resort in times of need and crisis, a place to which they look for inspiration.

"I think the Church of England is a great treasure.

"I wish my successor well in the stewardship of it.’’ In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace, he added: "It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision.

"During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond.’’ He added that he was grateful for all the support he and his wife Jane had received.

"I am abidingly grateful to all those friends and colleagues who have so generously supported Jane and myself in these years, and all the many diverse parishes and communities in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion that have brought vision, hope and excitement to my own ministry,’’ he said.

"I look forward, with that same support and inspiration, to continuing to serve the Church's mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead.’’ Dr Williams will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury, both for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, until the end of the year, Lambeth Palace said.

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will consider "in due course’’ the selection of a successor.

Dr Williams' return to academia will mark the end of more than 20 years as a bishop and archbishop. He was consecrated bishop of Monmouth in 1991 and elected archbishop of Wales in 1999.

His departure comes after tensions within the Anglican Communion over the issue of homosexuality.

The Church of England General Synod also looks likely to give final approval in July to legislation introducing women bishops, with the threat of further walkouts by traditionalists.

Dr Williams' predecessor, Lord Carey, held the post of archbishop of Canterbury for 11-and-a-half years and retired at 66 in 2002.