Dr Green, who was a distinguished lecturer in evangelism and apologetics at Wycliffe Hall, passed away at a hospital in Oxford, surrounded by members of his family.

In a statement, the Bible college said: "It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Michael Green went to be with the Lord yesterday at around 3pm at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

"His passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by Rosemary and his immediate family."

Dr Michael had previously advised the Archbishops of Canterbury and York during the 1990s for the Springboard Decade of Evangelism - which encouraged people to spread the gospel.