THE Bishop of Blackburn has criticised British Airways for its "ridiculous" action against an employee who wore a Christian cross with her uniform.

The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade said Christians may turn to other airlines to avoid such anti-Christian discrimination and that action by the British flag-carrier against Nadia Eweida was "yet again an example of Christians being discriminated against, in what was a Christian country.

Blackburn MP and Com-mons leader Jack Straw has described the ban on staff wearing cross necklaces over their uniform as "wholly inexplicable".

The bishop added: "BA's ruling seems rather ridiculous. I hope BA will not ask me to remove my pectoral cross next time I fly with them.

"Still, I know of other airlines who would welcome me and other Christians who wish to wear the sign of their faith.

"As the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said, if an employee was carrying a large cross it would fall within the regulations. How can something as unobtrusive as a small neck cross cause offence?"

Dr John Sentamu, the country's second most senior Church of England cleric, urged BA to reconsider its decision after describing it as nonsense.' Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida, 55, of Twick-enham, lost her appeal against BA's decision on Monday.

She has been on unpaid leave since her bosses first said she could not visibly wear her cross.

BA denied it had banned the wearing of crosses and said Ms Eweida had a right to a second appeal.

BA said in a statement: "British Airways has 34,000 uniformed staff, all of whom know they must abide by our uniform policy.

"The policy does not ban staff from wearing a cross. It lays down that personal items of jewellery, including crosses may be worn - but underneath the uniform.

"The policy recognises that it is not practical for some religious symbols, such as turbans and hijabs, to be worn underneath the uniform.

"This is purely a question of practicality. There is no discrimination between faiths.

BA said Ms Eweida had been offered a non-uniformed post where she would be able to openly wear her cross, but had refused to take it.

She has seven days to lodge another appeal.

* What's your view? Have your say by submitting your comments below