THE prayer said at the start of each meeting of Ryedale District Council will stay despite an attempt to have it moved to a private room before proceedings start.

A vote was held on Monday following protests from Liberal councillors, who said that the prayer should not be forced on members who do not hold religious views.

Despite their motion being defeated 21 votes to nine, with two abstentions, on Monday, Liberal councillor Tommy Woodward said he would continue to fight to have the prayer session moved.

He said: “If you read the meeting agendas it says that members are summoned to be there at 6.30pm then the prayers begin – so I have to be there.

“I’m a liberal; if they want to do that then it’s fine but I don’t want to be forced into it.” He said: “People have a right not to be forced into religion.”