YORK could be the city where the Church of England votes to allow women to become bishops, two years after it was the scene for a major defeat on the issue.

The church debated the divisive subject for years up to July 2012 when members of its ruling body, the General Synod, meeting in York, narrowly voted against women bishops by six votes.

But now the General Synod has voted in favour of fast tracking its own procedure for changing the law that prevents women becoming Church of England bishops.

Yesterday’s decision opens the way for the General Synod to reverse the July 2012 decision at its July 2014 meeting in York.

If it does, then the first woman bishop could be installed before Christmas.

The General Synod meets three times a year and always holds its July meeting in York.