A solicitor from Darwen has urged divorced parents to plan Christmas carefully, with the message "don't feed the kids Brussels sprouts twice".

Although the point is light-humoured, Lesley Halliwell, based in Belgrave Chambers in the town, said there was a serious message about planning ahead.

Lesley, a spokeswoman for the campaigning family law group Resolution, said: "As with all family matters putting the needs of the children first is paramount.

"While it is understandable that both parents may want to be with their children over the festive period, couples who argue will unwittingly risk harming their child.

"Parents remain parents even after their marriage relationship breaks down.

"But that doesn't mean that when their children split the festive season across two households they should have to eat Brussels sprouts on both occasions."

She advised that parents should not compete when buying presents, should allow the children to say how they would like to spend their time, and pre-arrange pick-up times to avoid arguments.