The word Christmas has been banned from festivities this year – and there won’t be a traditional light switch on either.

We can also reveal the discontent from city folk – understandably there are some rumbles of indignation already.

Instead we will this year be treated to the Winter Light Festival.

It will be run by Oxford Inspires which has wowed the public with its impressive displays before, but many have been left pondering why the word Christmas has been side-lined.

Last year the city council was criticised - maybe unfairly - for failing to splash out on a celebrity to switch on the Christmas lights.

There was, however, also an attack on the standard of the lights.

It was even suggested if a B-list star had been asked to push the plunger they would have been embarrassed by the result.

It seems the council can’t win either way.

But the reaction of the public and religious leaders across the city tells its own story: Please don’t banish the great British Christmas tradition!

Isn’t it all a little bit over the top? This great city is packed full of people from a range of faiths, but surely most share a common acceptance of the melting pot in which they live.

We are told the town hall wants a celebration which can be inclusive of all religious demoninations, but some believe it is just the tip of the iceberg and soon we will all be walking around wishing everyone an American-style happy holidays!

Today we hear from a rabbi, chairman of the Muslim Council of Oxford and a reverend - they are all in agreement - people are not offended by hearing about other people’s faiths.

Christmas is special, it means different things to different people, but the last thing we should do is ignore it.