A bishop has caused a stink by asking vicars to bring manure to church to make the Christmas Nativity more realistic.

The Bishop of Horsham, the Right Reverend Lindsay Urwin, wants Sussex clergymen to introduce buckets of horse muck into their services.

He wants the aroma of fresh manure to fill churches across the county.

The bishop, who sprang to fame after featuring on the Ali G TV show, said bringing buckets of the smelly stuff into church would remind people of the real meaning of Christmas.

He said: "It will remind people Jesus was born into a mess and gave his life to clear up the mess created not by the animals in the stable but by men and women in the world.

"This message is at the heart of Christmas.

"The manure will act as a visual aid. It may also be an idea for vicars who want to introduce incense - another stable smell - into their celebrations."

The bishop came up with the idea during a study day about the opportunities for attracting the flock at Christmas after one of the participants suggested a more realistic crib service.

He said: "Vicars should put out the Nativity, including the crib and animals, and get the children to the front of the church to ask them what is missing from the stable.

"They may suggest a chicken or even a camel. The vicar should say they know what is missing and run into the vestry and come back out with a bucket of manure.

"They should waft it around and fill the church with the aroma.

"Jesus was born into mess to help the world get out of its mess. Hopefully, it will make people think a bit about the real meaning of Christmas."

The advice has been sent to churches across the county in an insert in parish magazines and the bishop is keen to see who will take him up on the offer.

Sussex clergy and congregations are used to such unconventional outbursts from the bishop.

Three years ago he appeared on the Ali G show and was asked by the self-proclaimed leader of the Staines Massive whether he could perform a miracle by levitating his chair off the ground.

He was also asked if the Virgin Mary had been "messing around".

Sussex clergymen were dubious of the idea.

Reverend Joseph Harper, of St Michael's Church in Newhaven, said: "A couple of years ago we put straw down in the church to make the Nativity more realistic and it really worked.

"It brought to earth to concept of the incarnation.

"I'm not sure I would go all the way and bring manure into the church. I don't feel that visual aid is necessary. It could put people off more than helping.

"People's concentration would be on the horse manure and they might not be able to think about anything else. It could diffuse our attempts to put over the gospel.

"But each clergyman to his own and good luck to him with his ideas."

Father Vickery House, of St Bartholomew's Church in Ann Street, Brighton, said the idea might be better in theory than in practice.

He said: "It's a good message but I think it's better on paper than in reality.

"Jesus was born into a mess but we don't have to rub people's noses in it."

Congregation members had a mixed response.

Caroline Stace, 27, a regular worshipper at the Living Stones Church in Eastbourne, said: "It's a fantastic idea as long as there are enough flowers to cover up the smell. It's a good way to bring the Christmas message home."

Peter Hampton, 76, who attends St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, said: "I'm not worried about the smell but to try to recreate the birth of Jesus in such detail seems a bit strained."