Competitive parents are spending up to £150 on their children’s nativity costumes in the hope that their 'little angels' will be the star of the school show, says department store Debenhams.

Gone are the days of tattered tea towels and tinsel, the store says, with luxury pashminas and glittering imitation jewellery flying off the shelves as parents compete to create the ultimate costume.

So great is the trend that the store has now asked its country wide team of personal shoppers to persuade customers to see sense.

Said Debenhams Ed Watson: “The amount of money that some parents want to spend on their child’s Nativity Play appearance would enable Baby Jesus to leave the stable and check into a five star hotel.“

“ It’s silly and we’re doing all that we can to persuade competitive parents to change their minds it is the season of good will after all.“

“Their sons and daughters will still look wonderful wearing a pair of pyjamas and a sheet rather than the latest dress or coat straight from the high fashion cat walk.”