Anglo-Catholics and conservative evangelicals who object to women bishops have threatened to leave the Church after claiming that current plans do not meet their demands.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged the General Synod of the Church of England not to stall the progress of legislation to introduce women bishops.

Dr Rowan Williams said the General Synod’s failure to back a last-ditch compromise put by himself and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu at the weekend was not the “end of the road” in the process.

He said he wanted the General Synod meeting in York to complete its deliberations over women bishops before handing the legislation over for consideration by the Church’s dioceses.

“It is very tempting at times of stress and difficulty such as we have been through in the last couple of days to think ‘drop it into the difficult basket’,” he told the General Synod.

“I do not really think that is an option.”

Dr Williams’ remarks came as the Church’s national assembly resumed debates over the introduction of women bishops and how best to cater for objectors.