HOT cross buns were axed from the menu for hospital patients this Easter after bosses decided they were not essential for diet and recovery.

The traditional fruit and spice treats cost just 20p each from the catering budget - creating a total price of around £320 to provide one for each patient .

They have been served for many years at Burnley General Hospital, and were introduced three years ago at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Burnley council leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle condemned the decision as "pathetic", but patients and Church leaders said they were unconcerned by the change.

Coun Birtwistle said: "It's mean and pathetic and unfortunately it's the way that the hospitals work in this area.

"When you are in hospital and you are feeling ill and depressed then something as simple as a cup of tea and a hot cross bun at Easter reminds you what's going on in the world and really cheers you up."

Director of facilities and estates for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Chris Hodgson, said the catering budget was used for healthy, quality food to help patients recover.

He said: "Many factors are taken into account when deciding what food to provide which include nutrition and value for money.

"Hot cross buns are not seen as an essential part of a patient's diet and therefore the decision was taken not to include them but instead continue to provide the high-quality menu as we do all through the year."

John Amos, chairman of the trust's public and patient involvement forum, agreed, saying: "To me, hot cross buns don't have a particular Easter message any more, because you can buy them all year round. I would not think it would make a lot of difference to patients."

Bishop of Burnley John Goddard added: "Patients look to the trust to make sure there is the highest level of medical and pastoral care. If hot cross buns have to be cut in order to make sure we have a proper pastoral and chaplaincy service, then so be it."