A CHURCH warden called the police after a parishioner marched to the altar during the Sunday service to protest about the forced departure of the church choirmaster.

Judith Deacon, a respected member of the congregation of St James' Church, Wetherby, spoke out over the forced resignation of Stephen Hartley.

Mr Hartley, of York, who has worked at the church for more than 30 years, claims the new vicar, the Rev Philip Evans, forced him out because he is living out of wedlock with his partner, Joyce.

Shirley Yates, a member of the choir, said: "A lady called Judith Deacon just came forward and asked if she could say something before the service started.

"She wasn't aggressive - she just wanted to stand up and say her piece.

"The church wardens came to get her to sit down and the vicar's wife got really angry and left the church with the group she was sitting with, shouting 'Praise the Lord' with her hands up in the air."

Mrs Yates said several members of the choir and congregation were in tears at the commotion.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to the disturbance by a Mr Titchmarsh, churchwarden, but when they arrived the situation had calmed.

Mr Evans said: "It was regrettable that a member of the congregation chose to delay worship on Sunday in a way which was inappropriate.

"However, she remained to take communion and she shook my hand as she left."