A PUB poster showing an image of Jesus wearing headphones and saying “Thank Christ for Easter bank holiday!” has angered Christians.

The advertising, which depicts Jesus giving a thumbs-up and smiling, is promoting bank holiday events at the Tom Peppers pub in Clacton.

One of the offers available on Easter Sunday is vodka and Red Bull for £2.50 – to “bring yourself back to life”.

Christian Jean Raven, 61, contacted the Gazette after she saw the poster.

The Holland-on-Sea resident said: “If you are Christian, it’s offensive. I try to be a good Christian and it upsets me.”

The Rev Ben Marlowe, senior minister at Frinton Free Church, said: “This kind of advertising will undoubtedly offend all Christians, for whom the message of Easter lies at the very heart of their faith.

“It is also symbolic of a society that is increasingly hellbent on trivialising everything whilst it slowly amuses itself to death.”

Lois Cakebread, secretary of the Emmanual Church, in New Pier Street, Walton, added: “If they were promoting the church and encouraging people to go there, it might be OK.

“But if it’s just promotion to get people in the pub, then no. Easter is a very special occasion in the life of the church.”

However, Michael Denny, manager of the pub, defended the use of the posters.

He said: “It’s something we came up with ourselves and it’s not meant to be offensive to anybody.

“It’s about saying it’s Easter, which is about his resurrection. We considered using the Easter bunny, but thought ultimately it was a religious festival.

“It doesn’t show Jesus drinking or drunk and just says what we have on offer.

“We might bring the one outside the pub indoors, but I don’t believe it can be taken as offensive, otherwise I would get new posters made up.”

Although the posters were drawn up locally, all designs are approved by parent company, Cavendish Bars.