TWO protesters have invited the Archbishop of Canterbury to a public debate on sharia law after interrupting his Easter Sunday service in the Cathedral.

Sidney Cordle, 52, and Kyle Spotswood, 26, from Sheffield, unfurled a banner in protest against recent comments made by Dr Williams on Islamic sharia law.

Both were arrested early on in the packed service last month and charged with interrupting a church service under the Ecclesiastical Courts Jurisdiction Act of 1860.

Those charges were dropped when they appeared before city magistrates today.

Prosecutor Noel Watkins said their protest had caused limited distress.

Magistrates bound the pair over for 12 months in the sum of £100.

Speaking outside the court Mr Spotswood said: “I would like to challenge the Archbishop of Canterbury to a public debate on this issue at a venue of his choice.

“Or, if he is unavailable, then one of his Bishops.

“We only want a debate these issues and did not want to have to disturb the service.”

Mr Cordle said: “This is a victory for the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech and we are delighted the court has upheld those rights.”

He added they were protesting against the “millions of Christians” persecuted under sharia Law in places like Nigeria and Pakistan.