No Christmas in Oxford this year....

They'll be banning Santa Claus next...

A plan to axe the word Christmas from this year’s city centre festive celebrations has been criticised by religious leaders.

Council chiefs have confirmed there will be no traditional Christ-mas light switch-on in Oxford this year, but instead revellers will be greeted with a 25-metre high mobile of lanterns in the shape of the solar system.

A city council spokesman confirmed this year’s event would be called the “Winter Light Festival” to include all religious denominations.

Shoppers on the streets of Oxford criticised the decision to cut out the word Christmas and called for a return to tradition.

There will also be no mention of the word Christmas in the reduced "festive lights" programme to be erected in the city.

The idea is the brainchild of the charity Oxford Inspires, which has been set up to promote culture in the county and increase participation in cultural events.