A PETITION has started to challenge the links between Herefordshire Council and a church at the centre of “cult” allegations.

Titled "Hereford Taxpayers don’t want to fund discrimination", the petition protests against the council using he charity youth project 2XL in local schools.

The Hereford Times recently revealed links between the council, 2XL and the Hereford-based Freedom Church.

This story followed the Hereford Times reporting claims that the Freedom Church displayed all the characteristics of a cult.

The ePetition has been submitted through the council’s own website through a petitions scheme pitched as the council’s “ongoing commitment to listening to and acting on the views of the public.”

As drafted, the petition states: "We the undersigned petition the council to no longer use 2XL in local schools. We feel that the taxpayers of Hereford City should not be expected to fund the organisation 2XL, which has proven links with Freedom Church.We believe financing 2XL means financing the church. Monetary issues aside, we are also concerned for the well-being and emotional development of the children that 2XL has regular contact with."

The ePetition runs until April 26.

For more information, see http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=50000007