65,000 posters have been distributed

The posters show a baby representing Jesus wearing a yellow armband with the words "make Christmas His story".

The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, said they were designed to be provocative.

He said people were trying to take the Christ out of Christmas and this addressed the balance.

They seem to want to make Christmas history - the Diocese of Lichfield wants to make Christmas His story Bishop of Lichfield

Around 65,000 posters have been distributed across Staffordshire, north Shropshire and the Black Country.

Bishop Gledhill said the armbands were designed to reflect the Make Poverty History campaign.

"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 Christmas is offensive.

"They seem to want to make Christmas history - the Diocese of Lichfield wants to make Christmas His story," he added.

The posters were designed by the Christian Publicity Organisation and are being distributed in churches across the diocese.