US pastor John McArthur, who's known for his teaching around the world, but leads a church in California says he will continue to host services despite a new court ruling banning him from doing so.

The leader of Grace Community Church has been in a long running battle with local authorities on the issue of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

McArthur claims church is an essential service so should be exempt from the laws on public gatherings.

But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff has granted an injunction on the church meaning they cannot hold services until a full court hearing at a later date,

"While the court is mindful that there is no substitute for indoor worship in the 'spiritual refuge' of a sanctuary, the court cannot ignore the County Health Order does not dictate a ban on worship," Beckloff said in his ruling.

Despite the ruling, McArthur has vowed to hold services this Sunday breaching the injunction.

Speaking on Fox News, he said: "There is absolutely no reason not to have church in regards to safety. 

"One one hundredth of one per cent of Californians have Covid yet no one in the state of California are allowed to go inside a church. It doesn't make sense.

"We're under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. He says have church so we're going to have it."

Official figures from local authorities put the number of people with coronavirus at around two per cent.

At this stage its unknown what consequence there will be for breaching the injunction.

McArthur's lawyer, Jenna Ellis, who is an adviser to Donald Trump labelled the verdict a "temporary setback" and said the legal fight would continue.