Alarm is growing among hundreds of churches across England over huge increases in water bills.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition on the Prime Minister's website in protest of the hike in water charges, reports The Church of England Newspaper.

The petition was started by David Boddy, a churchwarden in North Thornaby on Teesside in the Diocese of York.

He told The Church of England Newspaper that he was "very pleased" with the response to the petition so far.

"The response shows that the problem is widespread," he said. "We have seen a 1,300 per cent increase in our church water bill but it's not just us. The petition's popularity has led to its availability being extended until December."

A private members' motion on rising water bills was brought forward by lay member Martin Dales, a former Mayor of Malton, North Yorkshire. The motion urges the Government to remind OFWAT of its "obligations" to ensure churches are treated as charities, as specified in government guidance from 2000, reports the newspaper.

Although the motion falls short of enough signatures to be debated at the July General Synod in York, it could come up for discussion at the November Synod in London if it secures more signatures.

Mr Dales told The Church of England Newspaper: "It is quite outrageous that at a time when many churches are facing huge increases in electricity and gas bills, such unannounced increases in water bills should also be thrust on parishes - often just because they have had a water meter fitted in an attempt to keep their bills down."

Church representatives are still waiting for a response from OFWAT officials after a meeting in May.

"Meanwhile, I would encourage churches to avoid having water meters fitted, to appeal unreasonable bills, and to pay only what they would normally expect to pay based on previous bills until the matter is resolved," Mr Dales advised.