An historic court has ruled in favour of a Suffolk church in a dispute over an objection to a new heating system.

The Consistory Court of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, which dates back to the Norman Conquest, was hearing an objection brought by architect Nick Bridges to the electrical heating installed at the 14th century St Bartholomew's Church at Orford.

The objection related to the removal of lighting from the church to make way for the new heating system.

READ MORE: Hearing was held at St Bartholomew's Church in Orford

Justin Gau, chancellor of the diocese, presided over the hearing, which is believed to be only the fourth time the court has sat over the last 20 years.

The court granted retrospective consent for the heating after considering whether the installation of the heating equipment was carried out before permission had been granted by the Church of England's jurisdiction, known as the Faculty.

The church installed the system as an oil-fired boiler used previously to heat the church was out-of-date and not environmentally-friendly and new equipment was needed to heat the church for congregations and for events, including visits by schoolchildren.

READ MORE: Orford news

The court was set up pursuant to a charter by William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England.

In March, James Hall, clerk to the court, described to the EADT how rare it was for the institution to hold sessions.

He said: "In the time that I have been here, there have been three hearings like the one we are going to do tomorrow. 

"In each year, well over 100 faculties are granted without any form of hearing or other sort of appearance like we are going to have tomorrow. They are exceptional."