Bishop slams Christmas displays

The Queen heard the Bishop of Norwich's sermon

A bishop has criticised people who festoon their homes in Christmas lights for creating "disaster zones".

The Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, preached a sermon about light and Christmas at a service attended by The Queen in Sandringham, Norfolk.

He said: "Some people, I have noticed around here, turn their houses into minor ecological disaster zones."

The Queen's Sandringham Estate has been decorated with hundreds of lights from Blackpool during the festive period.

The bishop spoke at St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham Estate on Sunday about the various kinds of light associated with Christmas.

Blackpool Council, famous for its annual illuminations seen by millions of people, provided Sandringham with half a mile (805 metres) of festive lights for its Christmas festival.

"To be able to add these Blackpool lights to this magnificent setting is something we're thrilled about," said a Sandringham spokeswoman earlier this month.

The festival, which includes an open-air skating rink and pantomimes, runs until January 6.