FERNDOWN Town Council will continue to keep its tradition of prayers before each meeting despite calls for them to be scrapped.

The issue of change kicked off a passionate debate at an extraordinary meeting of the full council.

Deputy mayor Jason Lawford said: "I have never been made to have to stand in a room and say a prayer. It should be down to personal choice, not forced upon you."

Younger councillor Kerry Weedon said it could put off a lot of younger people from getting involved in politics.

But other councillors strongly disagreed that prayers should be dropped.

Cllr John Muggleton said: "The prayer as such is a statement of our intent, as English men and women, for what we intend to do in this council, to think of the people in Ferndown, in a Christian country led by a Christian monarch."

They also disliked the idea of having other non-religious words, like Patience Strong.

The meeting heard that people attending meetings did not have to take part in the prayers, or could join the meeting after the prayer was said, and the majority voted for prayers to stay.

Councillors were also asked to replace their existing logo which shows St Mary's Church surrounded by ferns with one of four new logos of contemporary fern leaves, designed by deputy mayor Jason Lawford.

The meeting heard the more modern design would fit neatly into their scheme to start work towards quality council status and go on new stationery including business cards.

But councillors rejected the options by a majority vote and will keep the existing logo.

Cllr Roberta Lovett said St Mary's Church was one of their few landmark buildings.

At the same meeting, councillors agreed to committees being not less than seven but no more than 11 members in size, with a new streamlined structure.