COUNCILLORS are prepared to defy the law and carry on saying their prayers.

A High Court judge has ruled there is no lawful place for prayers during formal council meetings, following a legal challenge by an atheist councillor.

It is not yet clear what the ramifications of that decision will be – but it is understood that councils which say prayers but do not list them as part of the formal agenda are not in contravention of the ruling.

Most councils – including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and Cheshire East – will in future hold an informal prayer session before meetings start.

But defiant leaders of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council say they will continue to put prayers on the agenda.

Conservative council leader Sybil Ralphs said: "We have never had a complaint about saying prayers at council meetings.

"I couldn't encourage other people to break the law – but I would.

"Braver people than me have stood up for their faith and that would be an occasion when I would be judged by a higher authority."

Fellow Conservative and deputy council leader Arthur Forrester, who represents Alton, said: "It will continue like that and I fully support that.

"There's no two ways about it – prayers will continue as a set item.

"If someone doesn't want to remain while prayers are said, they don't have to.

"If it does become illegal, I would defy the law. I would be totally against anything like that."

Independent councillor Julie Bull said: "While no-one is complaining, I don't see a problem."

Conservative Moorlands MP Karen Bradley said: "I don't agree with the ruling. We start with prayers at Westminster and it's a great tradition.

"If councils want to carry on saying prayers at the start of meetings, I support them – they should do so."

Atheist councillor Clive Bone, of Devon, complained about the formal prayer sessions in 2010, saying they excluded non-believers.

Last week, Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled them unlawful under the Local Government Act.

Staffordshire Moorlands and Cheshire East councils are the only main authorities in the region who include prayers as an agenda item.

Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and Staffordshire County Council should all be unaffected.

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: "The council has removed the prayers item from the formal agenda of the full council meeting.

"We will, however, be inviting those members who wish to join the mayor and his chaplain to take part in prayers prior to the council meeting."

Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Terry Follows said: "We want to make sure we are within the law.

"We plan to start with prayers, then adjourn, then start the full meeting."

Newcastle's mayor Trevor Hambleton said: "I don't think it affects us but we are seeking clarification."