Slade slashed from airport playlist

Noddy lives in nearby Wilmslow

Slade hit Merry Xmas Everybody may be a difficult tune to escape during the festive season, but bosses at Manchester Airport have created a place of refuge.

They have banned the Black Country band's song from their Christmas playlist.

The decision was taken after the airport canvassed opinion among 1,200 people about how to improve its Christmas service.

An airport spokesman said they hope Slade star Noddy Holder, who lives nearby, will not be too offended.

Nearly 500 people said they did not want to hear it as it was "unpopular" and "outdated".

An airport spokesman said: "This was a serious survey aimed at improving the quality of service for people using Manchester Airport at Christmas.

"One of the overwhelming responses we had concerned the Slade song Merry Xmas Everybody - 40% of people said they did not want to hear it and so we took the decision to drop it from our playlist.

"I know Noddy Holder lives locally and I hope he won't be offended.

"It's not that we don't like the song - it has just been a little bit overplayed."

Noddy's agent told BBC News Online he was out of the country until Thursday and could not comment.

She did not specify if he is returning via Manchester Airport.