A Labour MP has predicted that bishops are set to be excluded from a reformed House of Lords.

Chris Bryant, who is a member of parliament's joint committee on Lords reform, said a "hefty majority" of his colleagues would back the removal of Anglican bishops from the upper house.

Speaking yesterday, the MP said there was no doubt that Labour MPs would support the move.

"The bishops will leave the Lords within the next 10 years. I think there is near unanimity on Labour benches on the issue," he said.

Under the current rules, 26 bishops from the Church of England sit and vote in the House of Lords. They are appointed by the prime minister and remain in the Lords for the duration of their bishoprics.

But moves are afoot to end their privileged right to make laws in the UK.

The religious representatives have been excluded from the joint committee probing Lords reform - a move which was criticised by the bishops.

Traditionalists were given further cause for concern yesterday when the in-coming archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, signalled that he would work towards the eventual disestablishment of the Church of England.

Despite the appetite for disestablishment on the Labour benches, the prime minister, who is responsible for appointing Anglican bishops, has made it known that he will continue to back the status quo.

Lord Williams of Mostyn, the leader of the Lords, has, however, indicated that he is willing to consider proposals to remove bishops from the second chamber.