London: A new survey done before Christmas had revealed that almost 93% of Britons would have been skipping church on Christmas Day. They would either be spending Christmas eating turkey, drinking champagne or opening presents - but will not attend church.

The study by Opinion Matters said only 11% had the intention of attending Midnight Mass last night on Christmas Eve, while 86% said they sent Christmas cards.

Daily Express columnist Ann Widdecombe told Express.co.uk: "If you're not going to church on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day then why are you celebrating Christmas?"

"What does Christmas mean if you are not going to church?" she asked.

The survey also showed that a huge 87% of 16-24-year-olds are opting out, compared with only 72% of over 55s. Widdecombe said political correctness is the reason for the low attendance figures.

"Political correctness is surpressing Christianity. You can no longer say what you think because you be accused of offending other faiths," she added.

Women are more likely to attend church over Christmas than men. Only 11% of men said they would spend the holy day there, compared with 14% of women. Rector Thomas Holme said low numbers of church attendance are down to secularisation.

"The country has become much more secular. When am I going to church?' is still very much down on the list of thoughts at Christmas," he said.

“I am not encouraged by the future of the church and organised religion - it is in decline," he added.