I THINK to support Pride 2005, the pink festival', was a good move for our local council.

This outwardly shows that equality and acceptance of diversity among the people of the Lancaster area is important. Our communities can only benefit, and by recognising different minority groups we can grow to understand each other.

However, as a Christian I have one grouse concerning Lancaster City Council. Where is your support of my group? You use one of my major festivals purely as a commercial event, promoting local traders, without any reference to its religious significance.

This secularisation of my religion excludes great sections of the community who can ill afford the financial expenditure associated with a hijacked Christmas. Jesus, of course, does not get a mention - no doubt the PC council feels he could offend people of other religions.

Has anyone ever asked those other religions? Interfaith dialogue among the major ones is well established; in times of trouble they come together in mutual support. Christianity is at this country's historical roots; our legal system and government have been shaped by it. It deserves some respect. There is my grouse, what is my solution?

We need to allow Jesus and the Christmas story and its symbols to feature in our council's Christmas and they should not be afraid of declaring it as a Christian festival. The Christian values of love, peace, and goodwill to all are very appropriate in this day and age.

We could also have the promotion of festivals from other religions relevant to the area which would bring culture and education to us all and acknowledge the needs of those minorities. This would show that the council was truly behind accepting diversity and treating people equally.

Diane Dewar, Lancaster.