Doctors have voted down a proposal calling for them to be given a right to pray for patients without facing disciplinary action.

The British Medical Association conference in Liverpool debated a motion saying medics should be free to discuss spiritual issues.

But delegates at the union's annual meeting refused to back the proposal.

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: "The BMA conference has been very sensible in refusing give this unfettered permission to religious doctors to offer prayers to patients.

"The restrictions are there for a very important reason - to protect patients from embarrassment, irritation and possible conflict with their doctor."