The Damned provoke Xmas lights row
Church leaders have condemned a decision to invite The Damned to switch on Cambridge's Christmas lights.
Captain Sensible and David Vanian will replace the usual choice of Christopher Biggins for the switch-on.
The Rev Stephen Leeke, of St Martin's Church in Cambridge, said the punk band was "not appropriate".
"They are a punk rock band with very doubtful lyrics," he added.
And the Rev Dr Peter Graves, of Wesley Methodist Church in Cambridge, added: "We should not give a major function over to a group that goes out of its way to deny what Christmas is about. "
The council said the idea arose because the event coincided with The Damned's Cambridge tour date.
City centre manager Annette Joyce said: "I did not anticipate it being a controversial switch-on. I can imagine that being the case if it was 20 years ago.
"It is actually a mixed cultural event that promotes what's happening in Cambridge. Some think it's blasphemous, others think don't be ridiculous."
The Damned said the group found it laughable that the church had decided to criticise them for turning on Christmas lights.
Guitarist Captain Sensible said: "They could have booked Cliff Richard. How boring would that have been?"
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