THE Bishop of Monmouth is due to undergo heart surgery in London. Bishop Dominic Walker, who is suffering from angina, will have a triple heart bypass operation in two weeks time at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

The Church in Wales Bishop says he has no worries about the forthcoming operation in which a vein will be taken from his leg and grafted into three vessels leading to his heart.

In July he was undergoing an angioplasty, an operation to place two wire mesh tubes which prop open an artery, in his vessels to help blood flow. But this time the surgery involves a major procedure, which will leave the body traumatised and Bishop Dominic in intensive care.

He said: "I'm not worried, the doctors said there's a one per cent chance of dying, one per cent I would suffer a stroke but 98 per cent recovery." The Bishop has received many best wishes from people in Gwent. "I'm overwhelmed, I've had cards, calls and e-mails," he said.

The surgery is to take place on Monday, October 10 and the Bishop says he will be "out of action" until Christmas.

The Venerable Glyndwr Hackett, Archdeacon of Monmouth said: "In Bishop Dominic we have been given a deeply spiritual guide who is unafraid to take decisive steps.

"We are truly blessed by his presence among us. "The suddenness of his illness has been a great blow. He's in our thoughts, our prayer is that he'll be restored to health and we shall soon again enjoy his generous and warm companionship with the touches of humour that are always present in his leadership."

Father Mark Soady, of St Woolos Cathedral, Newport, said: "We are looking forward to having the Bishop of Monmouth return to health, he will be in our prayers and thoughts in the coming weeks."

Father Geoffrey Howell also sent his best wishes. He said: "The Bishop is in out thoughts and prayers each day at this time and we send best wishes for a complete recovery."