Calls have been made to scrap prayers before the start of White Horse District Council meetings.

The move comes after a minister invited to offer prayers failed to arrive on time.

For almost 30 years the Vale of White Horse District Council has started its meetings with prayers, led by a member of the clergy.

But council chairman Briony Newport had to step in and say a short prayer before the start of the last meeting at the Guildhall in Abingdon.

The Rev David Clayton, the new Baptist Minister at Botley, turned up when the meeting was under way.

After the meeting he said: "Most meetings I attend start at 7.30pm, and I wrongly assumed the council would start at the same time, although I should have checked.

"I'm new to the area and I found it difficult to find the Guildhall."

Critics claim it is time for the ceremony to be cancelled.

The leader of the Conservatives, Melinda Tilley, who is an atheist, and Labour member Margaret MacKenzie, an agnostic, want prayers removed from the agenda. Both leave the chamber when prayers are said.

Mrs MacKenzie, 79, said: "It's a waste of time and I don't see why we should have to be subjected to prayers."

Mrs Tilley, who represents people in Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor, added: "I think there could well be other councillors who share our views."

The Vale is the only district council in Oxfordshire to start meetings with prayers. South Oxfordshire, Oxford City, West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Oxfordshire County Council are all "prayer-less."