York Minster's bells may remain silent at Christmas for the first time since 1361 after a row between bell ringers and the Minster.

The Minster's bell ringers were barred from the belfry in October with the Archbishop of York citing a safeguarding issue with one of the 30-strong team. But the decision caused outrage among campanologists across the UK.

Now 17,000 have signed a petition demanding the bells ring on Christmas Day.

But one-by-one, neighbouring teams of bellringers have turned down the Minster's offer to play on Christmas Day "in solidarity" with the disgraced York team.

Leeds Minster has become the latest to reject the offer with ringing master Robert Childs saying members voted at a practice session to turn down the opportunity. Childs said normally they would have relished the prospect as York's bells were the best in the country for sound. But many of his team knew the 31 York members dismissed and did not feel they could play in their place.

"They felt it would be the wrong thing to do," he said according to the Telegraph.

"You could see it as an act of solidarity with our fellow bell ringers in York."

The country's top bellringing body has told other groups they must "follow their own consciences" as the Minster continues to invite other neighbouring groups.

President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, Chris Mew, said: "Whilst this may be attractive to the community it has raised varying reaction from ringers approached to help and from the wider ringing fraternity."

A York Minster spokesman said they are recruiting a new team but the process would take three months and they are looking at how they bells could ring at Christmas.

"The Chapter of York is making plans for future bell ringing arrangements at York Minster and we are drawing on expertise from around the county and country to help us shape those plans.

"We are exploring options for ringing at Christmas but are not yet in a position to confirm if we will go ahead".