The Reverend Patrick Morrow will not be eating turkey or brandy-soaked plum pudding for Christmas lunch. He is more likely to make do with a snatched sandwich and a cup of soup.

The Anglican priest, who is the programme manager of the Council of Christians and Jews, has instead decided to remain at the Limmud conference in Warwick, where he has spent the previous three days.

"I thought I'd go for total immersion," he said.

In fact, he will be jointly leading a session today on the attitudes of the Catholic church towards Jews under the new Pope.

But he will be popping out to attend a service at Coventry Cathedral. "It's the one mitzvah for Christians on Christmas Day."