Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, who devoted much of his life to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, died today. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said in London today on hearing of his death, "The world is a better place for having had a Trevor Huddleston. Thanks be to God for this incredible stalwart."

Archbishop Huddleston became a member of the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield in 1939 - taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience two years later.

Within two years the Community had posted him to South Africa where he soon became active in the struggle against apartheid and formed close friendships with leaders such as Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela.

Father Huddleston, together with Julius Nyerere, addressed the founding meeting of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in London in 1959. A year later he became Bishop of Masasi in the south of Tanganiyka until 1968 when he was appointed Bishop of Stepney, London.

In 1978 he became Bishop of Mauritius and, shortly afterwards, Archbishop of the Anglican Province of the Indian Ocean. He was also elected President of the Anti-Apartheid Movement during this time.

Archbishop Huddleston continued to have a wide ranging and exciting ministry following the collapse of apartheid and one of the highlights of his latter years was attending Nelson Mandela's inauguration as President in Pretoria in 1994.

He received the KCMG in the New Year's Honours List for services to UK/South African relations and received his honour from the Queen last month.

Fr. Crispin Harrison CR, Superior of the Community of the Resurrection said: "The Community of the Resurrection has lost a prayerful and diligent priest, pastor and campaigner for the Gospel. Details of the celebration of his life, his funeral, will be made public in a few days time."