MORE than 400 Thornbury residents have signed a petition against the modernisation of the town’s parish church.

The signatures have been collected by the Campaign to save St Mary’s Church, a group opposed to the plans to modernise St Mary’s which would involve the removal of the church’s Victorian wooden pews.

Leaders at the 12th century church announced plans to renovate the building last year.

The reordering of St Mary’s Church includes the removal of the pews, the building of a second tier at the back of the church, upgrading the kitchen and improvements to disabled facilities.

However, the project, which it is estimated will cost £850,000, has caused division in the Thornbury community.

Lois Elford, from the Campaign to save St Mary’s Church, said: "Only 40 residents are on record as having attended the public consultation in October asking for the modernisation of the church.

"Since then the community petition has attracted 400 signatures from local townsfolk petitioning for the church to be protected from the radical reordering proposals.

"These two contrasting figures may help to make the church aware of the risk it takes in alienating many, many people."

The campaign group has also sent a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, claiming church leaders at St Mary’s want to turn the building into a community centre.

Rev David Primrose, the vicar at St Mary’s Church, said the Diocesan Advisory Committee, which is the body that will eventually decide on whether the plans can go ahead, had recently met at St Mary’s with representatives from English Heritage.

Mr Primrose also encouraged anybody with concerns to contact the church.

He said: "It is quite perverse to suggest that our intention is for St Mary's to be used as another church hall or community centre instead of retaining its historic and primary purpose as a place of worship for the whole parish.

"It would be much better if all those with concerns would contact me directly so that we can listen to people's concerns and have an informed discussion based on accurate facts.

"The Church Council has always valued those comments that they have received regarding any part of the proposals, and actively consult with a wide range of people.

"The comments received have a significant influence on the decisions that are being made. Listening and engaging in meaningful discussion can only be for the good as the scheme is being progressively developed."

Full details of the reordering can be found at www.thornburyparish.org.