The Catholic Church has said it will exclude school children in Scotland from nativity plays and fundraising if they are withdrawn from prayers.

On Monday the church said Catholic schools would "ensure" children are excluded from activities such as "charitable fundraising", nativity plays or "feast day celebrations" if they are withdrawn from religious observance.

The statement came amid speculation that the right to withdraw from worship in Scotland may be extended from parents to pupils.

Alastair Lichten, the National Secular Society's education and schools officer, called the Catholic Church's statement "mean-spirited" and "the ugly side of coercive worship".

Read the full story on the National Secular Society website.