The Bishop of Lichfield has launched a fightback against what he called "the politically correct approach to Christmas".

The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill said local authorities, retail centres and businesses seemed to want to make the Christian Christmas history.

About 65,000 posters have been distributed across the diocese urging Christians to stand their ground and "make Christmas His story".

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The provocative posters are predominantly black and white, and feature a photo of a baby, representing the new-born Jesus, wearing a bright yellow "Make Christmas His Story" arm-band.

The posters have been distributed to parishioners in Stafford-shire, the northern half of Shrop-shire, and the Black Country boroughs of Walsall, Wolverhampton and the northern half of Sand-well.

Bishop Gledhill said: "There have been reports from all over the country about local authorities, businesses, retail centres and even central Government trying to take the Christ out of Christmas, claiming that Christmas is offensive.

"They seem to want to 'Make Christmas History' - the Diocese of Lichfield wants them to 'Make Christmas His Story'.

"If it wasn't for Jesus, there wouldn't be Christmas. So it seems a very good time to remind people that Christmas is the story of Jesus Christ. It is more than a story about a baby born in a stable. If it wasn't, then maybe people wouldn't find it offensive."

He emphasised that the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas also had strong Christian significance.

"Christmas is about the ultimate gift from the ultimate giver," he said. "It is the story about God himself coming to earth in the form of a baby; a baby born to reunite us with God." ..SUPL: