A row has erupted in Brussels over whether plans to place a 25-metre ‘tree’ made from giant TV screens in the city’s Grand Place is a deliberate snub to Christianity.

City councilwoman Bianca Debaets attacked the decision to erect the new display saying it was motivated by a desire not to offend Muslims and was intended to replace the traditional Christmas tree.

She claimed that a “misplaced argument” over religious sensitivities had moved officials to put up the light sculpture.  “I suspect that the reference to the Christian religion was the decisive factor” in replacing the tree, she told reporters. “For a lot of people who are not Christians, the tree there is offensive to them.”

A petition calling for a real Christmas tree in Brussels’ Grand Place has attracted 10,000 signatures.

However, the president of Brussels Tourism Philippe Close said: “Let’s be clear, there’ll be a Christmas tree and a nativity scene. Christmas traditions will be respected.

“The theme this year is “winter pleasures” at the huge Christmas market that has a worldwide reputation,” he explained.

Other city officials insists the move was not made to placate Muslims or other groups. Nicolas Dassonville, spokesman for Mayor Thielemans (PS), said the Nativity scene will remain at Grand Place

The tree’s sponsor, electricity generator Electrabel, made the move to put up the electronic sculpture this year, Dassonville said.