Christian leaders in Oxford have said they are surprised and saddened by the decision to ban a Church of England advert from UK cinemas.

Vaughan Roberts, rector at St Ebbe's church in the city centre, and Andrew Wingfield Digby, reverend at St Andrew's Church in North Oxford, both expressed disappointment at the refusal by the UK's leading cinema chains to broadcast an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer. 

Vue, Odeon and Cineworld all banned the minute-long advert, which was supposed to show before the film Star Wars: the Force Awakens from December 18. 

The decision sparked national debate over the weekend, especially as the Cinema Advertising Authority and the British Board of Film Classification both approved the advert, which starred the Arch Bishop of Canterbury and the Most Reverend Justin Welby.

Mr Roberts said: "I am very surprised. It is hard to imagine that people could be offended by the Lord's Prayer which has been at the heart of our culture for many years.

"It's even more ironic at Christmas time. Our whole culture is rooted in Christianity. We can't cut out the element of religion - we have just got to be a bit more grown up. 

"It seems to me people are pretty grown up in our country and they can think for themselves. If you think how many things on adverts are sexualised, no advert is neutral. Some of them are quite questionable."

Mr Wingfield Digby said: "It is rather sad in our society that a distinction isn't made. The Lord's Prayer is culturally acceptable, it is not extremist or a cult, it is established. 

"I think the advert is really good, especially at this time after the Paris attacks. It is encouraging people to pray, which is a good thing. It doesn't push anything down anyone's throat. If you can't do something Christian at Christmas then when can you?"

Mr Wingfield Digby, a former England cricketer, said he also respected the other side of the debate.

He said: "I do have some sympathy with the cinemas. If they say yes to this then how do they say no to the other requests?"