|PIC1|Christian traditions in British society took another blow this week when it was announced that the tradition of saying Christian prayers before a Devon town's council meeting will be axed.

Rather than commencing the meeting in its traditional format, a "quiet moment of reflection" will be used as a replacement. The council has enforced this measure so that the moment will cater for councillors of all beliefs, and those of no faith.

Monday 8th January saw a local Devon clergyman lead prayers for the very last time, at Totnes Town Council meeting.

Mayor Pru Boswell was reported by the BBC as saying: "We are trying to reflect the different needs of different councillors. It is nothing to do with being politically correct."

She said: "We took the decision that rather than inviting a member of the church to come and lead us in prayer, that we would exchange it for a moment of quiet reflection when people can pray or meditate or reflect in their own way.

"Some of them are religious and some of them are not. Each to their own."

She said the council's work was being streamlined to "bring it into the 21st Century".

A council spokeswoman said it was also part of the council's efforts to become more business-like in meetings.