ONE of Southampton's leading churchmen has called for a religious ceremony to be held at the same time as the start of the city centre's Christmas celebrations

The Rector of Southampton City Parish the Rev Ian Johnson has called for the service after it was revealed that the city's Christmas shopping launch will take place on a Sunday. Traders have decided to hold the event on Sunday after managers complained that the traditional Thursday event was proving unsuccessful for trade.

John Given store manager of Debenhams said: "Sunday is a family day and with entertainment going on throughout the day leading up to a big finale, hopefully more people will be drawn into the city centre to shop."

The city centre's traditional opening celebrations for festive season shopping are due to take place on Sunday, November 16.

But as revealed in the Daily Echo last year, city council leisure bosses will not be stumping up any cash to go towards Christmas lights which used to illuminate The Bargate.

Southampton City Centre manager Ian Rothwell said that he was still negotiating with local firms to see if sponsors could be found for some form of lights display.

He said: "We are not going to have anything as elaborate as we have had in the past but we are looking at various ideas and options.

"We are hopeful but we will have to see what the companies come back with."

Rev Johnson told the Daily Echo that he "did not have a problem" with the fact that the shopping celebrations were being launched during Sunday - traditionally a Christian day of worship.

He said: "Given the fact that there are more shoppers in the city centre on Sunday than any other day of the week it is as good a time as any. I propose that as the rector of Southampton City Centre Parish that we have a look at whether we can have a religious act of worship at the same time. We need to put this together as a package."