A Finnish toilet paper manufacturer has been forced to apologise after it inadventently offended church leaders by printing quotes from the Bible on its loo rolls.

Meta Tissue regularly prints philosophical phrases, poetry and quotes on its toilet paper, and had been aiming to convey messages about love on its latest rolls when it made the error.

The company, which selected quotes from Facebook submissions, accidentally included lines from the Gospel of Matthew and First Corinthians, reports Reuters.

The mistake prompted a backlash from church leaders from the Nordic countries where the loo roll is sold.

Laila Riksaasen Dahl, the Bishop of Tunsberg, Norway said: "This is bad taste and shows [a] lack of respect. Bible verses do not belong on a roll of toilet paper."

The firm has apologised for the incident and has since removed the religious quotes.

Christina Von Trampe, a spokesperson for Meta Tissue, said: "People like to read small, happy messages while sitting on the toilet.

"The vast majority of the feedback has been positive. Our intention was to spread love and joy, not religious messages."

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