A VICAR says he received death threats following a row over the resignation of his choirmaster.

The Rev Philip Evans, vicar of St James's Church, Wetherby, said he was forced to extend two weeks' sick leave to almost three months because of the stress he suffered as a result.

The alleged threats follow the resignation of church choirmaster Stephen Hartley, 62, who stepped down from the job he held for more than 30 years claiming the new vicar forced him out because he lives with his partner out of wedlock.

The row has caused emotional scenes at the church, including junior members of the choir running out of a practice in floods of tears, and pensioner Judith Deacon standing up in front of the congregation before a service to make a protest on the choirmaster's behalf.

When Mr Evans returned to duties this week he found an announcement attached to the church door expressing the desire of ten per cent of parishioners to launch a motion of no confidence against his churchwardens and church council.

Mr Evans said he had also received intimidating letters: "Two death threats arrived which my wife opened.

"One was an obituary of a vicar who had died at a young age and she took that as an indication that the same might happen to her husband.

"I was away at the time on retreat and my wife opened another letter saying that if I realised that I was hated as much as I was I would get out of Wetherby while I still had the chance.

"This isn't church life as we know it.

"From my point of view it's more important to do the job to which I'm called until such a time as God tells me otherwise. He had death threats too."

The note Mr Evans found pinned to the church door is the result of a petition to the Archdeacon of Richmond, the Venerable Ken Good, to discuss a motion of no confidence at an extraordinary general meeting of church electors being held on August 30 behind closed doors.

The Archdeacon said: "I'm aware (Mr Evans) received death threats and I think it's disgraceful.

"As Archdeacon when Philip Evans was installed I pledged to uphold and support him and I will do that to the best of my ability.

"I think this meeting will give people the opportunity to air their views in a democratic way."

Mr Hartley was not available for comment.