Excessive political correctness in Britain is the result of the influence of relatively few misguided and zealous individuals, who set an agenda that other well-meaning people follow out of a desire not to cause offence.

That, basically, is the reality of the situation as seen by Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, whose attempt to counter this influence and make the celebration of Christmas, with its universal message of peace and harmony, wholly acceptable again appears to have struck a chord with representatives of many faiths.

It is a welcome and timely intervention. As Mr Phillips points out, the sidelining of Christ at Christmas by barring Nativity plays or changing their meaning to avoid causing offence to some minorities does nothing to help community cohesion. It breeds resentment in a multi-faith society which quite rightly encourages the celebration of other non-Christian festivals.

Thankfully, Mr Phillips's common-sense view has been echoed by leaders of other religions - and by a cross-section of ordinary people of Bradford approached for their views. Here, as Ishtiaq Ahmed of the Bradford Council of Mosques says, the celebration of all religious festivals is encouraged. Banners across the streets at times throughout the year mark a series of such festivals, including Christmas, and no-one objects.

That is the way it should be. It is a sign of the sort of civilised, tolerant, inclusive society that Bradford has been striving towards and something of which we should be proud. Let's hope that Mr Phillips's bold challenge to political correctness encourages the rest of the country to follow this city's example.