A JUDGE has been called into settle a dispute over the removal of 112-year-old wooden pews from an East Lancashire church.

Arguments between traditionalists and modernists at St Anne's Church, Fence, near Burnley, began when the former vicar, the Rev Norman Howard, and his supporters decided to remove two rows of ornate choir pews to make room for modern worship such as music groups, dance and drama.

The decision to take out the pews in May 1999 for a 12-month experimental period was agreed by a narrow majority on the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and supported by the Archdeacon of Blackburn, the Venerable Dr John Marsh, who licensed the move.

Once that trial period was over the PCC applied for what is known as a faculty for approval to remove the pews permanently. But objectors want the Grade II listed building to stay as it was.

The future of the pews will be decided by a judge from Yorkshire at a special hearing known as a consistory court at the church on Saturday.

Local undertaker Colin Holgate, who has been associated with the church for 60 years, is against the removal of the pews.

"We need to heal this rift in the church this has caused," he said. "It's not a church any more. It's just a big open stage. I'm unhappy about this 'happy clappy' arrangement.

"I just don't want to think this decision could go against us. This has caused so much ill-feeling, it's really quite upsetting." A Blackburn Diocese spokesman said: "It's not the intention of those wanting change in the church to be insensitive but to enable the church to be more welcoming to its local community."

"The church wishes to be an evolving church able to reach out more effectively into its community.

"Many of its members feel the removal of the choir pews and the larger area that has been created makes services like weddings, baptisms and family worship much less cramped and much more inclusive for all those taking part."

One of the two church wardens, Phil Dodd, added: "I can understand people not wanting to see the choir stalls moved but we need to move forward and to attract all types of worship.

"It's not as though they are being taken out of the church."

The stalls have been moved to the balcony but not installed. The choir currently sits on chairs where the choir stalls were.

Once the future of the pews is decided a more permanent arrangement will be made.

The consistory court will be held in front of a judge from Yorkshire, known as the Chancellor, who will hear both sides of the argument before making a written judgement.

Mr Howard retired from the Church in April through ill health and has left the area.

No replacement has been appointed.