Dorset County Council came up with a way of getting round a controversial new ruling that threatened to put an end to prayers at council meetings.

A High Court ruling last week declared that prayers at formal meetings such as council meetings, where people are summoned to attend, are unlawful.

The ruling posed a dilemma for Dorset County Council at its meeting yesterday as it has been a long-held tradition to open full council meetings with a prayer.

Chairman John Wilson responded by saying the prayer before the start of the proceedings then formally opening the meeting.

He told fellow members: “You will all be aware of the issue of whether or not prayers should be a part of council meetings.

“Today we are taking the approach that this council will not act in an unlawful way, therefore I propose to have a short prayer before opening the meeting.”

Councillor Wilson invited anyone who was not comfortable being in the room as the prayer was being said an opportunity to leave, an offer none of the members took up.