FORMAL prayers have been halted at another council following a change at the top.

Coun Gillian Summers stopped the official readings at full meetings of West Dorset District Council after succeeding Ron Coatsworth as chairman in May.

It comes after new Bridport Town Council mayor David Rickard replaced the Lord’s Prayers in favour of a quiet time of contemplation.

Coun Summers, who represents the Chideock and Symondsbury ward, said: “I took full council some time ago and I did it my own way. There were no comments and no problems what so ever.

“We just did not do a prayer.”

Coun Summers, who also sits on Bridport Town Council, said she stopped the official Christian prayer because she is not particularly religious.

She added: “There is a period of time where everybody can do their own thing.”

The move has split residents in Bridport with some supporting mayor Rickard’s stance but others condemning the move in letters to the Bridport News.

The Rev Evans told how disappointed the church community was at the decision and that they had been backed up by residents.

“I have had a positive response. People are very saddened. It is a denial of the traditions of the town.”

At the mayor making, Coun Rickard said he wanted to keep the clergy involved in the religious elements of the mayoral year but dispense with prayers and welcome those of all faiths at civic occasions.

Coun Rickard said he did not want to comment about the issue.

Council leader Martin Ray insisted prayers had not been banned and that people could still say them as part of the silent contemplation.

He said: “It his mayoral year.

“It is up to the mayor at the time.

“There is nothing in the constitution of the council or in the rules and regulations of the Local Government Association.”

Coun Ray said that other councils, such as West Dorset District Council, didn’t have prayers.

Town and county councillor Karl Wallace said: “The mayor has to think of the greater community and who they represent.

“It should be up for discussion not as a diktat. It should be something discussed by the whole council.”

Coun Frances McKenzie, who sits on the district council and is a former Bridport town councillor, said that she was horrified when she heard.