A primary school in Woodside has allayed parents' concerns that pupils will not be involved in any Christmas activities this year.

Staff at Woodside Nursery and Infant School, on Morland Road, have blamed "ill-founded rumours" on misleading parents to believe their children would not be taking part in nativity plays, decoration-making and carol-singing.

Several parents contacted the Guardian newsroom to complain they were told Christmas activities were not taking place at the school for religious reasons', but the school has since scotched these claims.

Deputy headteacher Arlene Brown said: "There has been a misunderstanding. Christmas was always going to be celebrated here. We're doing Christmas plays, making Christmas cards and calendars.

"The only thing I think that could have led people to think this is that we recently held a creativity week and we said we would not take down children's art work to put up Christmas decorations in classrooms. We have to strike a balance and make sure that activities are educational."