Reform UK councillors have failed in a bid to end prayers at the start of full Bolton Council meetings.

The motion was introduced by Reform group leader Councillor Trevor Jones, who called for a review of the long-standing tradition of opening meetings with prayers led by the mayor's chaplain.

Following the defeat of the motion on Wednesday, Jones confirmed Reform councillors would continue to boycott the prayers. Members of the party entered the council chamber only after the chaplain had finished.

“In such a diverse society, it is increasingly difficult for any single religious observance to reflect the convictions of all councillors and residents. I believe there is an important distinction between individual religious practice and the formal conduct of council business," the motion stated.

Recent prayers have been led by both Christian and Muslim faith leaders, who have prayed for wisdom and compassion in serving local residents.

Reform councillors proposed replacing prayers with a period of silence or moving the observance to a separate room before meetings begin.

According to North West Bylines, Labour council leader Akhtar Zaman accused Reform of “attacking the civic traditions of the council”.

The move contrasts with efforts by Reform representatives in some other local authorities to introduce the Lord's Prayer into council proceedings.