A new Advent Calendar - with the Baby Jesus and Nativity as a focus - has been backed by Lancashire's most senior churchman.

For the first time this year, the Church of England has produced its own Advent Calendar based around the Nativity.

And the idea has the enthusiastic backing of the Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Philip North.

In an age where you can pick up 'Advent' calendars promoting anything from chocolate to cheese, pork crackling, wine and whisky, Bishop Philip is urging parishes and schools to pick up the church's alternative before December 1.

He said: "At this time of year Advent calendars are very popular but very few are available that directly tell the important Christian story of Jesus’ birth, thereby helping people to discover, in fresh news ways, their place in the greatest story ever told.

“So I am delighted to see this latest development from the national church and warmly welcome the decision to produce the calendar as Christmas has become increasingly commercialised in recent times.”

The calendar, the brainchild of Clare Williams, a family learning head at Norwich Cathedral, has a fold-out crib scene by children’s illustrator Charlotte Cooke, with stickers which can be added to a Nativity scene.

And there are also themed activities, including a simple Nativity play script for anyone wanting to act out the story.

Bishop Philip added: "“I encourage people in our parishes and schools to consider buying one of the new Advent Calendars, and to use it as an opportunity to share and talk about the Good News of Jesus’ birth with family and friends.

“If you can afford to do so, why not buy extras for a pre-Christmas gift for someone you know who may not be as familiar with the Christmas story?”

The calendars are available via Church House Publishing or are on sale via popular websites like Amazon.