The Bishop is concerned about the darker side of Halloween

Bishop of Bolton the Rt Revd David Gillett called on supermarkets to rethink the way they promote the pagan 31 October festival.

Asda and Sainsbury's responded to his call to makeover the "gloomy and scary" festival by adding "lighter" products to their ranges.

But more traditional costumes will stay, while other stores did not reply.

Last year he wrote to stores asking them to consider offering a better range of products for those worried about the darker side of the festival.

Sainsbury's replied saying they will now also sell glow sticks, hair braids and face paints.

I now hope that parents will use their spending power Rt Revd David Gillett

Asda have told him they will also stock costumes and accessories with a "lighter" feel than previous years.

Tesco and the Co-operative have not responded, the Bishop said.

A survey of 1,002 people for the Church of England said 36% believe a broader range of brighter products should be made available for parents to buy for their children to mark the day.

A further 30% are open to the idea, according to the poll.

Bishop Gillett said: "I now hope that parents will use their spending power, vote with their baskets and do what they can to show big businesses that we all want Halloween to be a more positive festival for people of all ages.

"The idea of kids helping kids at Halloween is a really positive twist on what was fast becoming the anti-social event of the year."