Government staff in the UK sending festive emails have been urged to not to say Merry Christmas. The extraordinary advice was sent this week to avoid offending people of other faiths and agnostics.

Officials at the Department for Energy and Climate Change were also told not to use ‘images of skin’ to prevent accusations of racism. The ministry, led by Lib Dem Ed Davey, sends e-cards instead of traditional paper greetings to save money and paper, The Daily Mail reports.

An email sent to some officials this week gave advice on what the messages should and should not say, to avoid offending people who do not celebrate Christmas.

The message was sent on Monday to staff who wanted to know how to style festive greetings sent from the department, The Sun reported.

It stated: ‘When picking, think Season’s Greetings rather than Merry Christmas.’

The email added: ‘As an organisation of multiple faiths and agnostics serving a community of the same and in the interest of inclusion, I’d avoid images with skin.’

Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said the advice was ‘just pathetic’.

‘They should grow up and get a grip. We live in 21st century Britain and we should be able to get on and celebrate Christmas and recognise people have different faiths without offending anyone.’

DECC employs 1,600 staff in London and Aberdeen. A spokesman insisted the email was only sent to a small group of people in the department.

‘There is no formal guidance to staff about Christmas cards,’ he said.