Christian customers have expressed offense and frustration over Marks and Spencer's Percy Pig themed charity Christmas cards.

Orthodox Christian and author Laura Jansson took issue with the retailer after noting it had replaced the word Christmas with 'Pigmas' on its 2021 charity cards and money wallet pack.

The Percy Pig themed cards have a picture of the well-known M&S trademark character sporting a Santa hat with the words 'Merry Pigmas.'

Sales of the pack contribute to £200,000 of donations to M&S partner charities including Shelter, Royal British Legion and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jansson, childcare expert and writer of Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy was outraged by the new campaign, asking if M&S would "replace the name of another religion's prophet with 'pig' for a laugh? This is unacceptable".

Some responded in agreement with Jansson on social media saying: "Absolutely offensive! Imagine doing that with any other deity!" and "I don't agree with that mockery at all. Christmas is the celebration of Christ not anything else." 

Other's labelled those who took offense as "snowflakes," with one commenting: "I've seen it all now, the ones who are offended obviously are in cahoots with each other. Get a grip, Percy the pig is their trademark!"

Premier has reached out to Marks and Spencer for comment.