AN UNHOLY row is brewing between a parish council and a vicar after he told them some residents could not use his church for christenings, weddings or funerals.

The problem started when Stoke Prior parish council - in its newsletter - welcomed residents of the newly-created ward of Stoke Heath and said they would be able to use the beautiful and historic church of St Michael's in Hanbury Road.

But Reverend Roger Antell disagreed and complained to the parish council saying while the civil boundaries of the parish may have changed, the parochial boundaries remained the same, meaning Stoke Heath residents are in the parish of St John's in Bromsgrove.

As a result the residents can attend services at St Michael's church - but cannot be christened, buried or married there.

Chairman of Stoke Parish Council, Thelma Roll, serves on the parochial church council, but said she intends to resign from the church council next year as being on both councils puts her in a difficult position.

She said: "I understand people from Stoke Heath can't have christenings, weddings or burials at the church but I think we should welcome Stoke Heath residents with open arms and it would be nice if someone from the church said they were all welcome."

She added the church could apply to the Privy Council, the highest legislative body in the country, to change the parochial boundaries to fit with the parish boundaries.

Each year the parish council makes a donation to the upkeep and maintenance of the church.

Mrs Roll said: "I think the vicar should know he is getting money for the church from the people of Stoke Heath as well."

Parish councillors agreed to print a correction in the next newsletter.

Mr Antell, who has been at the church for just under two years, was unable to make a comment as we went to press but churchwarden Pete O'Connor said: "It's right what the Reverend says. I think the parish council misinterpreted the change of boundary in the beginning."

He added: "Whenever you get somebody new coming in, somebody somewhere is not going to like the new style."