An unholy row has erupted over a proposal to remove a York church's historic altar rail.

The wrought-iron rail separating the chancel and the nave at St Wilfrid's Church, in the shadow of York Minster, was created by celebrated craftsman Wilfrid Dowson in 1948.

But St Wilfrid's parish priest, Father Michael Ryan, is proposing to remove the rail. He says he wants to promote a friendlier atmosphere in the Roman Catholic church, but parishioners have signed a 400-name petition against the proposal.

Wilfrid Dowson's son, Professor Duncan Dowson, has also joined the debate by writing to the diocese's Historic Churches Committee, which is expected to make a decision on the proposal, along with a list of other changes, in February.

Fr Ryan said: "The church is being refurbished to make it more welcoming and more suitable for the liturgy of today."

Improvements include new heating, rewiring, new toilets and the removal of the front row of pews to aid access for the disabled.

The proposal to remove the rail is in keeping with general church policy and has been done in other churches, he said.

But Major Mike Wilks, a parishioner of St Wilfrid's for more than a decade, said: "We are in danger of casting away a masterpiece of wrought iron work made by a man who was employed by royalty.

"It is part of the heritage of the City of York and it should not be discarded for this spurious reason of welcoming.

"Some of the women at the church remember kneeling at the rail when they exchanged their wedding vows and it is very special to them." Major Wilks has written to the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the secretary of the Historical Churches Committee and Fr Ryan, and he has also alerted York Civic Trust.

The rail's creator Wilfrid Dowson, of Kirkbymoorside, was also responsible for work at York Minster, the celebrated Nelson Gates at the Duncombe Park estate, the Queen's Gates at St George's Chapel, Windsor, and private work for the Princess Royal.

Queen Mary is also said to have taken a shine to a set of fire irons he made.

Prof Dowson said: "I hope that very full consideration will be given to the advantages of retaining a feature of such outstanding craftsmanship and artistry, which contributes to the overall attractiveness of the church."

Updated: 11:48 Thursday, January 11, 2001