The two most senior figures in the Church of England have announced last-ditch plans to avert a walkout by traditionalists over women bishops.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have proposed a new concession to opponents of women bishops in an effort to avoid a split within the Church over the issue.

It is believed the archbishops hope to attempt to meet the concerns of traditionalists within the Church of England who do not accept the authority of a bishop – male or female – where this has been conferred by a woman.

The archbishops are to put forward an amendment to draft legislation on women bishops to be debated next month at the General Synod of the Church of England in York.

The proposals from the archbishops put forward an idea of “co-ordinate jurisdiction” between a woman bishop and a bishop nominated to take care of traditionalist parishes.