The Church of England has become embroiled in a row over whether it should publicly oppose Labour and Liberal Democrat plans to liberalise abortion laws.

More than 400 members of the clergy wrote an open letter to senior figures complaining that the political shift would see foetuses classed as "no longer human beings" worthy of legal protection.

The letter criticised bishops for not standing up for the church's official teaching on abortion - that terminating pregnancies in most cases is wrong as the unborn child has the potential to "develop relationships, think, pray, choose and love”.

It said members had "sincere concerns" about the proposals and called for them to "speak out...in defence of some of the most vulnerable in our society".

Among the signatories were vicars, chaplains and rectors.

Two leading bishops, the Rt Revds Christine Hardman and James Newcome, issued a statement in response, assuring them that the Church of England sees all abortions as "tragedies" and that it would "vigorously challenge any attempt to extend abortion provision beyond the current 24 week limit".