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Greggs has been forced to apologise after it replaced Jesus with a SAUSAGE ROLL in its advent calender launch promotion.

The high street chain came under fire for its pastry in a manger during publicity photos for its special Christmas countdown.

On Twitter, Beth Rosenberg said: “Out of interest do you think the people at Greggs understand that Jesus was Jewish and serving up a pork sausage roll in the manger is unbelievably inappropriate?”

Martin Joss said: “Dread to think what you would come up with, if you were out to offend #notcool.”

Another disgruntled tweeter said: “I’m no prude, but equating Jesus, a Jew, to a sausage roll really is deeply offensive on all sorts of levels.”

As a result a Greggs spokeswoman told The Northern Echo: “We’re really sorry to have caused any offence, this was never our intention.”

But some foodies got past the controversial images and saw the funny side.

Kevin Trooper Allsopp created a rhyme for the advertisement. He said: “Away in a manger, there’s Greggs in the crib, the little lord Jesus, got crumbs on his bib.”

Another amused reader said: “I’m more concerned that the wise men bring the right condiments.”

One said: “The best bit about the whole thing is the fact that someone has already taken a bite out of Baby Jesus.”

This will be Greggs first ever Christmas advent calendar with each door revealing a tear-off token that can be taken into shops and exchanged for a different treat every day - including the Festive Bake, flavoured lattes, sweet mince pie and, of course, a sausage roll.

On Christmas Eve, a £5 gift card sits behind door 24 – although some lucky customers will find a surprise £25 gift card.

A limited number of calendars are on sale and the Greggs branch in Stephenson Place, Birmingham, will be among only 14 to stock the new festive buy.

The advent calendar is priced at £24 and is billed as ‘the ultimate Christmas gift for every Greggs fan.’

Other publicity photos used by Greggs in their launch include a Santa with pasty flakes on his beard, a Greggs shop in a snow globe and a steak bake on a festive table.