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A row has erupted over a decision to drop the word "Easter" from a Cadbury and National Trust egg hunt.

The argument involving the Prime Minister, the Church, the chocolate company and the National Trust came after the Archbishop of York criticised the chocolate giant over the naming of its annual event.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu accused the company of "spitting on the grave" of its religious founder by removing references to Christianity's most sacred festival from the event it runs nationwide with the conservation charity.

Cadbury, which was founded by Quaker John Cadbury in 1824, told the Daily Telegraph "we invite people from all faiths and none to enjoy our seasonal treats".

The National Trust said that suggestions it was downplaying the significance of Easter were "nonsense" while the chocolatier dismissed the archbishop's claim as "simply not true".

Some 300 Easter egg hunts will take place this year at National Trust properties including at Cambridgeshire's Wimpole Hall, Wicken Fen Nature Reserve and Anglesey Abbey.

The event has previously been called an 'Easter Egg Trail' but this year it has been promoted as 'Cadbury's Great British Egg Hunt' which has provoked the ire of campaigners and National Trust member - as well as the Prime Minister - whose father, the Reverend Hubert Brasier, was vicar of Enstone in Oxfordshire.

Speaking from Jordan, as part of her Middle Eastern tour for talks over security and trade, Mrs May told ITV News: "I'm not just a vicar's daughter - I'm a member of the National Trust as well.

"I think the stance they have taken is absolutely ridiculous. I don't know what they are thinking about, frankly.

(Image: National Trust/PA Wire)

"Easter's very important. It's important to me.

"It's a very important festival for the Christian faith for millions across the world.

"So I think what the National Trust is doing is frankly just ridiculous."

Cadbury denied it had removed the word "Easter" from its marketing and communication materials, while a Church of England (CofE) spokesman accused the National Trust of "updating" the page overnight and "seemingly adding a few (references to Easter) in".

The National Trust described claims it had downplayed the significance of the festival as "nonsense".

A spokesman said: "Nothing could be further from the truth. We host a huge programme of events, activities and walks to bring families together to celebrate this very special time of year.

"A casual glance at our website will see dozens of references to Easter throughout.

"Our Easter events include our partnership with Cadbury, which has been running Easter egg hunts with us for 10 years.

"They've proved consistently popular with our members and visitors.

"As part of its wider marketing activity at Easter, Cadbury will always lead on the branding and wording for its campaigns."

The spokesman declined to address the Prime Minister's comments directly.

A Cadbury spokesperson said: "It is simply not true to claim that we have removed the word 'Easter' from our marketing and communication materials.

"Each year our Easter campaigns have a different name and this year our seasonal campaign is called the Cadbury's Great British Egg Hunt.

"It is clear to see that within our communications and marketing we clearly state the word Easter and include it in a number of promotional materials, including our website, where we do also promote our partnership with National Trust at this seasonal time of year."

Asked to respond to the comments, Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said its faith preferred to focus on the "every day" rather than specific festivals.

He said: "Quakers say every day is a chance for new beginnings for all of us, for love and forgiveness, restorative justice and joy."