Town councillors will keep praying

Councillors in a Shropshire town have thrown out a controversial attempt to scrap the saying of prayers before their meetings.

The Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury has welcomed last night's decision by Wellington Town Council to continue with the tradition.

He said: "The saying of prayers before meetings is an integral part of the British system of government."

Independent Wellington Town Council member Councillor Pat McCarthy wanted to see compulsory prayers at the start of meetings of the full council replaced by a "pre-meeting" where prayers would be said but attendance was voluntary. He claimed compulsory Christian prayers discriminated against atheists and people of other faiths.

His motion to that effect was rejected by all of his council colleagues, expect two who abstained. A debate on the issue was ruled out.

Bishop of Shrewsbury The Right Reverend Mark Rylands said he fully supported the council members in continuing to offer prayers before meetings.

He added: "Attendance is completely voluntary and no-one is forced to actively participate."