The Evangelical Alliance would like to thank all supporters who contacted their MPs about Sunday trading.

The plan to extend trading hours on Sundays has now been defeated, meaning local shops will continue to be protected against large chains and workers will have the freedom to have a set day off.

Those in the House of Commons opposed proposals to extend opening hours 327 votes to 286, thanks to rebel Conservative MPs and members of the SNP.

The current regulations, allowing large shops to trade for just six hours on a Sunday, will now remain.

Only shops smaller than 30,000sq ft are allowed to stay open all day, which include many independent retailers on high streets that often struggle to compete.

The Alliance asked supporters to contact their MP before the vote, setting out the need to protect workers, local businesses and a vision that we're more to than our ability to consumer.

Dr Dave Landrum, director of advocacy at the Alliance, welcomed the decision.

He said: "This is a victory for family life, and we are pleased that plans to liberalise trading on a Sunday have been defeated.

"I hope now that this issue can be put to rest following the huge defeat, and we don't have to work so hard again to protect the rights of workers."

This is the second time recently that the government has proposed the idea to encourage more shopping on a Sunday, as last year the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne was forced to drop the plans due to lack of support.

One MP said after the debate: "Frankly, even God rested on the seventh day."