GREGGS has apologised to anyone offended by publicity for its first Advent calendar which shows a sausage roll in a manger instead of the baby Jesus.

The North-East-based company is enabling fans of its sweet and savoury treats to enjoy something different each day as they countdown to Christmas 2017.

Each door reveals a tear-off token that can be taken into Greggs’ shops and exchanged for items from the Christmas and wider menu, including the Festive Bake, flavoured lattes, sweet mince pie and a sausage roll.

Come on KFC..show Greggs the way... put a miniature Jesus in all your Christmas buckets https://t.co/z6lerV0AM2 — bob mortimer (@RealBobMortimer) November 14, 2017

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

A limited number of the calendars will go on sale in selected Greggs’ shops from Monday, November 20, until stocks last, priced at £24.

Among the publicity photos for the calendar are a Santa with pasty flakes on his beard, a Greggs shop in a snow globe and a steak bake on a festive table.

While the calendar has had a largely positive reaction, some people have been offended by the publicity surrounding it.

Simon Richards, CEO of the Freedom Association, called for a public protest.

He tweeted: "Please boycott @GreggsOfficial to protest against its sick anti-Christian Advent Calendar.

"What cowards these people are: we all know that they would never dare insult other religions!

"They should donate every penny of their profits to @salvationarmyuk."

Meanwhile, the Rev Mark Edwards of St Matthew's Church in Dinnington and St Cuthbert's Church in Brunswick said Greggs had been "disrespectful".

He said: "It goes beyond just commercialism, it's showing a total disregard and disrespect towards one of the greatest stories ever told, and I think people of all faiths will be offended by this."

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

Greggs say the calendar is worth between £35 and £60, and the vouchers can be redeemed in shops from December 1 up to and including Christmas Eve. Gift cards are valid for up to 12 months.

HOW TWITTER RESPONDED:

Greggs biggest mistake was that they used a sausage roll and not a steak bake. Or at the very least, a cheese and bacon turnover. pic.twitter.com/lx1HwGEi8I — Lorraine Cope (@_HappyFish_) November 15, 2017

I'm vegan and this move would tempt me back into a sausage roll. Bless you Greggs. Someone has to have a sense of humour. — Highland Fashionista (@Highlandista) November 15, 2017

Just popping in to report a radio producer asked me to come on air and say I was upset Greggs apparently depicted baby Jesus as a sausage roll — Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster) November 15, 2017

The fact that people are fuming cos Greggs replaced baby Jesus for a sausage roll in their advent calendar, just makes me love Greggs even more 😂 — Elise✨ (@elbroadley_) November 15, 2017

I think they knew this reaction was coming. What do you think, Andrew? Some sausage roll nonsense followed by hysterical social and media reaction is certainly one way of hijacking the agenda at this time of year #Greggs #StormInATeaCup — Gavin B Harris MCIPR (@gavinbharris) November 15, 2017

Did I really just hear on the radio “Greggs are apologising for replacing a picture of baby Jesus with a sausage roll” people really will complain about anything🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ — Alix Stewart (@alixxxstewart) November 15, 2017

I don't know any Christians who are upset about Greggs' sausage roll baby Jesus. I think people are more upset by unhealthy dietary options being promoted. — naebd (@naebD) November 15, 2017