CONTROVERSIAL plans for the "reordering" of St Mary's Church in Thornbury have gone on public display.

Church leaders are proposing significant alterations to the church to meet current requirements for worship, combined with modernised facilities and increased availability to the wider community.

The plans include removing the church's 168-year-old Victorian pews and replacing them with modern adaptable seating.

The outline proposals also include 9ft tall curving glass screen and doors to divide the church's main area, creating spaces for worship and fellowship.

Display panels are now up in Thornbury library until Monday, April 14 and have so far attracted a steady interest.

A commentary with the plans by appointed architects GRGP says: "We hope that a series of gentle interventions can create an improved opportunity for future worship.

"We have approached this design with the priority of fulfilling the church's potential for worship, mainly Sunday."

The architects are proposing a number of options concerning the removal of the pews.

They also suggest re-modelling and positioning the existing pews in the sanctuary facing the Victorian altar.

GRGP say: "We believe that the Victorian pews are restricting both current and future worship.

"It also limits the opportunity for the building to be used for other purposes, that, although not the priority, may become a much bigger issue in the future.

"Replacing the pews with high quality timber chairs allows for a much more flexible range of worship styles."

Last month, the vicar, Rev David Primrose, stressed the plans were still at an early stage and nothing had been decided.

But the plans have been criticised from some worshippers who fear the changes could have a detrimental impact on the church.

Choir member Lois Elford is organising a public meeting on the proposals on May 19.

She said: "Most people I have spoken to can't believe the church is proposing to rid of the old pews.

"We don't want to see such a special church changed into a modern function room, I think it is wrong.

"If they were to go ahead I really could not bear to attend concerts there or be part of the life of the church anymore."

What do you think of the plans? Let us know by posting your comment below.