Media reaction to the judgement on council prayers last week has inevitably been mixed while the public reaction has been strongly supportive of the National Secular Society.

The High Court today ruled that "The saying of prayers as part of the formal meeting of a Council is not lawful under s111 of the Local Government Act 1972, and there is no statutory power permitting the practice to continue". The judgement follows a Judicial Review initiated by the National Secular Society.

A row has erupted at Cheddar parish council in Somerset over prayers following a decision to continue saying prayers immediately before council meetings.

The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the North Carolina County Board who were seeking to overturn a ban on sectarian prayers before public government meetings.

A councillor in Winchester in Hampshire has called for an end to the saying of prayers at the start of the main council meeting.

The NSS's council prayer challenge has caused other councils to reconsider their policies.

The National Secular Society's challenge to prayers in local council meetings was heard in the High Court on Friday 2 December – about five hours of intense legal activity. The case was presided over by the Judge in charge of theAdministrative Court, Mr Justice Ouseley.

The Chairman of Gloucester County Council has ended the practice of saying prayers before council meetings. Conservative Councillor Brian Thornton said he believes the historic practice "excludes" some members from full participation.

The National Secular Society's challenge to prayers in local council meetings is to be heard in the High Court on Friday 2 December. The Judicial Review follows a complaint from one of its councillors that he was disadvantaged as a non-believer by the saying of prayers as part of council business.

Axbridge Town Council raised the idea of abolishing prayers at its meetings last August when some councillors said the worship infringed on their rights as atheists. The Council decided to refer the matter to its personnel and protocol committee, who will investigate it and make recommendations to the Council.