GREGGS has apologised to anyone offended by publicity for its first advent calendar which shows a sausage roll in a manger instead of the baby Jesus.

The pasty chain announced earlier this week there would be vouchers for fans of its sweet and savoury treats each day as they countdown to Christmas 2017.

Each door reveals a tear-off token that can be taken into Greggs’ shops and exchanged for items from the Christmas and wider menu, including the Festive Bake, flavoured lattes, sweet mince pie and a sausage roll.

Among the publicity photos for the calendar are Father Christmas with pasty flakes on his beard, a Greggs shop in a snow globe and a steak bake on a festive table.

While the calendar has had a largely positive reaction, some people have been offended by the publicity surrounding it.

As a result a Greggs spokeswoman told our sister title The Northern Echo: "We’re really sorry to have caused any offence, this was never our intention.”

Greggs say the calendar, priced £24, is worth between £35 and £60. 

But only a limited number of the calendars will go on sale in selected Greggs’ shops from Monday, November 20. 

The nearest shops with calendars on sale is Deansgate, Manchester or North John Street, Liverpool.