A DISPUTE between members of a church congregation over the removal of pews has finally been resolved by a Consistory Court.

Holy Trinity Parish Church, at Startforth, near Barnard Castle, has been given permission to remove four pews installed in 1956 in memory of people who have died, to create extra space.

The ruling was made by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, Judge Simon Grenfell,

The dispute, which split the church, began in the summer of 1999, when the new vicar, the Reverend David Ryan, said he wished to create extra space around the font for meetings and after-service gatherings.

Despite being welcomed by many, some of the congregation said the pews had been bought only 40 years ago and were presented to the church in memory of people's relatives.

They also argued that a number of brass plaques bearing the names of former worshippers would be lost if the pews were ripped out.

The row came to a head in August, when Judge Grenfell visited the church to hear the views of the opposing parties at a Consistory Court.

Yesterday, members of the Parochial Church Council, who had backed the scheme as a millennium project, were celebrating his decision.

Judge Grenfell granted the Parochial Church Council a "faculty", which gives it permission to make changes to the church grounds or any buildings.

His decision means the four pews can be removed, however, under the ruling the plaques must be repositioned. Chairs must also be used to replace the missing pews.

Speaking on behalf of the Parochial Church Council, Mr Ryan, said: "We are pleased the Chancellor has made a thorough judgement and a very clear decision to grant the reordering scheme."

He said that the extra space would provide better access for disabled people and that the pews would be rebuilt into pieces of furniture for the church. The plaques will be relocated around the church