WE wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas... and a pre-nup New Year.

How thoughtful, considerate and caring of Hine solicitors to offer ‘half-price’ divorces in January.

After all, ’tis the season to be jolly, and what could be more cheering than knowing, come January 2, you can divorce for just a snip of the usual price.

It is, quite simply, enough to make you believe in Santa Claus.

Of course, the firm should be commended for taking the commercial initiative in these hard times.

But one can’t help but feel reassured by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Prichard, condemning the so-called promotion as “tacky”.

If it isn’t enough that solicitors are continually begging us to sue everyone for any amount for any reason: “I was at work when I slipped and fell. Now I’m £5m better off” – it seems now they might also be encouraging us to break up solely to save money.

At this rate, they’ll soon be launching loyalty cards.

So full marks to the Bishop for not mincing his words.

“I think couples in distress could do without that kind of encouragement,” he said.

Amen to that.