Now it has been under the spotlight of the Church of England's Consistory Court which was called in to decide whether permission should be given for the controversial altar table / chest of drawers conversion plan.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee refused to support the idea. They said they felt "the proposal does not appear to treat the altar with appropriate respect."

And top Bristol churchman, Justin Gau, Chancellor of Bristol, in his role as a judge of the Consistory Court has agreed with them. He rejected a petition for a 'faculty' (permission) to carry out the scheme.

He quoted church law which referring to altar tables stipulates: "The table, as becomes the table of the Lord, shall be kept in a sufficient and seemly manner."