A PENSIONER has led a boycott of this year's Christmas stamps as nativity scenes have been replaced by non-religious symbols.

James Marsden, a retired private landlord, from Higher Croft, Blackburn, refused to buy the festive edition stamps as they have again failed to make reference to the religious aspect of Christmas.

Santa, a snowman and a reindeer are among the images on the Royal Mail's 40th set of Christmas stamps.

Mr Marsden has said he had not recalled a nativity scene on any postage stamps since the millennium and has refused to buy them since 2002.

And he has encouraged friends and family to do the same.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Our festive stamp issues have always alternated between religious and non-religious themes on an annual basis.

"It is about celebrating all elements of Christmas."

But Mr Marsden said: "The postage stamps have no religious significance. I feel very strongly about this.

"They have no religious symbols this year - there are reindeer, snowmen and Santa Claus.

"This year I went into the Post Office to have a look at them, to see whether they had designed them with the nativity.

"They weren't.

"I can buy these at my local shop and would rather be loyal to them than the Post Office."

Mr Marsden has sent 24 Christmas cards this year all of which have ordinary stamps on them.

He added: "I think they feel they might offend other people, but I doubt that anyone has complained about them.

"People don't have any complaints about them but I think there is a fear that people might complain so they don't make them.

"I just think that it is political correctness nonsense gone mad.

"I think the last time I bought Christmas stamps was in 2002."