A charity has launched a controversial Christmas poster campaign in Sheffield with the slogan "I wish the baby Jesus had never been born."

The Samaritans, who offer emotional support to the vulnerable, say the slogan is an attempt to illustrate the dread with which some people view the festive period.

However local religious leaders claim the campaign could offend if the slogan is misunderstood.

Father Desmond Sexton, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Marie in Sheffield, said: "I hope the Samaritans have not made a mistake that could backfire.

"Excruciating time"

"The Samaritans are a very important organisation and I hope that people see the message for what it is and don't misunderstand it as it could do a lot of harm if it is.

"They are trying to tell people who are in need and who are very low that there is someone there for them."

A spokesman for the Archbishop of York, David Hope said: "Many people find Christmas a very difficult time and for a minority it is an excruciating time.

Attention grabbing

"The posters are obviously intended to grab attention and I don't think they are saying that the Samaritans think Jesus shouldn't have been born."

Paul Girling, director of the Samaritans in Sheffield, said the campaign was not meant as an attack on the church.

"Our intention was to get the attention of people and definitely not to offend," he said.

"We ran it by some of the Christian members of our branch and they were the ones who were most for it.

"The posters aim to tell people to call us and that we are here to listen."