Theresa May backs church in row over ‘Easter-less’ egg hunts

Prime Minister Theresa May added her voice on Tuesday to church leaders’ criticism of the omission of the word Easter from the name of seasonal egg hunts but organisers rejected the accusation.

May said that it was “absolutely ridiculous” not to call the events Easter egg hunts, after the Church of England accused the organisers of “airbrushing faith” from their promotional material.

The National Trust, which plans some 300 egg hunts nationwide, sponsored by chocolate maker Cadbury, said it was “not downplaying the importance of Easter in any way.

“We have more than 13,000 mentions on our website alone.”

“Join the Cadbury egg hunts this Easter,” headline at the top of the National Trust web page promoting the events said.

A while tabs invited people to take part in the “Cadbury Easter Hunt” and “Enjoy Easter fun”.

“I think the stance they have taken is absolutely ridiculous,” May said, adding that she was a National Trust member.

“I don’t know what they are thinking about, frankly,” May said.

“[Easter is] a very important festival for the Christian faith for millions across the world.”

The Church of England earlier said the marketing campaign for the egg hunts “highlights the folly in airbrushing faith from Easter.”

The National Trust is a conservation-focused charity owning or managing hundreds of historic buildings and large areas of rural land.