VEGETARIANS have criticised a Leigh church for having a pig roast at an event to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity.

Rev Peter Leakey, of Christ Church, Pennington, has received five letters from people who say it is inappropriate to have a skewered animal on a spit at the party being billed as "J.C.'s Party in the Park".

One of the vegetarians, Jenny Dobbs, also sent a letter to The JOURNAL. She wrote: "It is a great idea to celebrate by bringing the local communities together with all the diversity that brings, including many vegetarians like myself who will be distressed by the pig roast."

Mrs Dobbs is worried the pig will have come from a factory farm. She is a member of VIVA, the animal charity who have over the last year filmed inside the buildings and found evidence of neglect, including broken legs, abscesses and cuts.

She added: "Have a happy cruelty free celebration and don't roast pigs, they are almost certainly from a factory farm."

Mr Leakey said he had responded to all the letters sent with a name and address.

He added: "Some of them asked how we could have a pig roast if we were Christians. My reply has been that the Bible clearly states we have been given meat to eat.

"I have also told them I support them in their protests against cruelty to farm animals and I respect their position as vegetarians."

The vicar said non-meat eaters would be very welcome at the event which takes place this Saturday, starting at 2pm, on Pennington Park, and refreshments will be available for them.

The church has invited every parishioner to the celebration and has planned a fun family day out, catering for 1,000.

There will be a football competition, bouncy castle, a marquee with craft demonstrations and a live music from Under Scrutiny.

Admission is free with a £1 charge for food, including spit roast pig on a bread roll (with beef alternative) plus a piece of JC's birthday cake and a glass of orange juice.