ANGRY teachers and governors at two Bolton primary schools have rejected claims that they have cancelled Christmas.

A DJ on radio station Capital Gold broadcast the claim that St Michael's School in Great Lever, and Red Lane Primary in Breightmet, were cancelling Christmas celebrations.

But both schools have hit back, saying it was not true.

Margaret Brockie, chairman of St Michael's governing body, said: "We are a Church of England School and we are celebrating Christmas.

"St Michael's is a school with a strong Christian ethos."

And David Johnson, head of Red Lane, said: "The school is fully involved in celebrating Christmas as it always does."

The claims were sent in an anonymous text message to Capital Gold's North-west breakfast show.

They came to the attention of St Michael's after a Bolton headteacher heard them two weeks ago.

Miss Brockie said: "At first I thought they meant another school from what I was told, but the station also said Red Lane Primary was not celebrating Christmas either.

"I thought there cannot be many schools with that name in the same area.

"I do not know if it was mischief-making because we have a large number of ethnic minority pupils."

A total of 72 per cent of the pupils at the school are from an ethnic minority background, and all of the children had been involved in celebrating Christmas, with the juniors performing Scrooge and the infants the Nativity Play.

Miss Brockie said: "I would have thought the radio station would have checked with the school first to see if what they had been told was true."

Capital Gold has since retracted the statement. DJ Mike Sweeney said he had mentioned the schools after he received a text message on air.

"I have been taking a stance against brainless politically correct behaviour," he said. "I asked people to tell me what they had heard.

"I received one text about the schools which I read out on air. I said it was alleged they were not celebrating Christmas.

"I asked the person who had texted in to provide proof of this, which they said they could not.

"After being contacted by Miss Brockie, I mentioned a few times on my programme that St Michael's and the other school were celebrating Christmas."

Red Lane Primary School also marked the festive season with children performing the Christmas story.

Head teacher Mr Johnson said: "I was stunned at the level of mis-information.

"I am also appalled Capital Gold did not seek verification."