A group of 55 public figures condemned the Prime Minister.

They said he was fostering 'alienation' by emphasising Christianity in an article for the Church Times.

In a joint letter, the group states: "We object to his repeated mischaracterising of our country as a 'Christian countrry' and the negative consequences for our politics and society that this view engenders."

The signatories are mainly high-profile liberals including author Sir Terry Pratchett, BBC presenter Dan Snow and comedian Tim Minchin.

It follows the article for the Church Times by Mr Cameron in which he wrote: "We should be more confident about our status as a Christian country.

"Being more confident about our status as a Christian country does not somehow involve doing down other faiths or passing judgment on those with no faith at all."

But the letter, to The Daily Telegraph today, claims his comments do not reflect the country as it is, saying: "Repeated studies show most of us are not Christian in our beliefs or our religious identities. We are a plural and largely non-religious society. To constantly claim otherwise fosters alienation and division in our society."

It claims Mr Cameron was wrong to 'exceptionalise' the contributions made to society by Christians when they are 'equalled by those of people with different beliefs'.

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It adds: "This needlessly fuels enervating sectarian debates."

But Conservative MPs were quick to support the Prime Minister. Alok Sharma MP said: "David Cameron is absolutely right. Britain is a Christian country and I acknowledge that as a Hindu."

The 2011 Census showed that the number of people in England and Wales who describe themselves as Christian was 59 per cent – down from 72 per cent in 2001.