Traders have started planning their Christmas celebrations - but have banned anyone from using the C-word.

Kemp Town Village Business Association does not want to offend any religions with its winter festivities.

A ceremony to turn on Christmas lights will be held in Fishmarket Square in Kemp Town, Brighton, at 3.30pm on December 1.

Members of the cast of the Gardner Arts Centre's production of Jungle Book will help with the official switching-on.

Seven days later a traditional "wassail" will be held at the same venue, featuring singing and mulled wine.

But the two events are being promoted as a "festival of lights" rather than Christmas.

Jonathan Macfarlane, of Wallis Macfarlane gift shop in St George's Road, said: "We're not referring to Christmas at all. It's not that we're against it - in fact, we quite like it.

"But we have members from lots of different faiths and cultures and the festival of lights will embrace all of those."

He stressed that no traders were yet putting up any decorations.

He said: "It's much too early."