Villagers are waiting to see whether the battle over the future of the pews in their historic church will mirror that of their fictional cousins.

Opponents of the plan to remove the pews at St Andrew's Church, Kildwick, are preparing to submit their argument to a judge.

They are hoping to triumph as their counterparts have done in the BBC radio soap, The Archers, where the vicar lost his plan to remove the traditional seating from St Stephen's Church, in Ambridge.

A poll of Archers' fans on the Internet revealed that about 60 per cent of listeners were against the plan.

It was a disappointment to the vicar who believed shifting them would provide more room for activities for youngsters, thus preventing them vandalising the church grounds.

Keith Midgley, one of the Kildwick pro-pew group, is hoping the fictional level of support for retaining the seats is reflected in their own battle.

The decision will be made by Judge D G Walford, the Bradford Diocesan Consistory Court Chancellor, after he has scrutinised both sides.

St Andrew's Church vicar, the Rev Robin Figg, pictured, and his supporters have presented their proposals, which call for the pews to be replaced by chairs.

The project will also involve improving access for disabled people, constructing a meeting room and toilets inside the church and providing a creche. Costs are expected to total about £800,000.

Mr Midgley said they had until April 18 to submit their response to the plan and he was hoping the national poll of the Archers' plans was reflected in the eventual outcome.

"We agree there is scope for change and improvement but not at the expense of the character and beauty of the church," he said.

"We feel there are alternatives which will retain the character and would carry the community's support. I think it is about compromise."

Mr Figg said the proposals were submitted to the consistory court on February 28.

He said: "We are very much within the legal process and I don't think making a comment is appropriate at this time."

The opponents' case had to be submitted by April 18 and then the proposers had an opportunity to reply by May 19, after which the chancellor would make his decision.

A spokeswoman for The Archers said there had been about 60 per cent support on the national poll for keeping the pews at the fictional church.

"But this had no influence on the eventual outcome.

"That was decided as part of the overall story line," she added.