Charity 'may offend pupils' claim

The gifts are sent to children in poorer countries

Schools in Bristol are being advised that supporting a Christian charity may offend some of their pupils.

Samaritan's Purse collects goods in the UK before sending them to children in Eastern Europe and Africa.

Bristol City Council said schools adopting charities should not offend anyone on the grounds of equality, disability, race or religion.

But a spokesman for Samaritan's Purse said it handed out presents to children regardless of these factors.

"The difficultly is that this all becomes prescriptive and you end up doing nothing. No one gains from that," he added.

The city council said in a letter to schools that it had received a number of concerns about Samaritan's Purse, which it described as "evangelical".

'Notebook and pen'

A council spokesman told the BBC that it was up to governors which charities they supported.

"Bristol City Council has advised schools to research thoroughly any charities that they wish to support through the Charity Commission to ensure that they are compatible with their own equalities policies and will not offend anyone in the school community," he added.

A spokesman for Samaritan's Purse said. "80% of gifts are given to children who have never had a present in their lives.

"A simple notebook and pen can enable a child to go to school for three months.

"In about half the recipient countries, we make a booklet of Bible stories available. There is no Christian literature in the boxes and no requirement to take the booklets," he added.