Pressure around a school’s decision to scrap Easter celebrations is spiking, with a protest planned - and the former leader of Reform UK slamming the situation.

Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh has faced national backlash after the Echo revealed headteacher Stephanie Mander sent a letter to parents informing them that the Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Service will not be held this year.

Christian group Disciples of Christ has since planned a protest outside the school on April 3, calling the situation “unacceptable” and an “attack on Christianity”.

READ MORE: Headteacher's letter in full as school axes Easter celebrations

Speaking on behalf of the Portsmouth Patriots group, Joe Ward said that he thinks you can “sort of understand in the multicultural society that we live if they just cancelled the easter event”.

But he thinks that mentioning the celebrations of Refugee Week in June is what has “outraged a lot of people”.

From the Disciplines of Christ point of view, I think they feel like the British culture is under attack,” Joe said.

“For me personally, it’s the decision to replace it with Refugee Week. I think a lot of people like me feel at this point that we can take it and we can take it and we can take it but we’re facing so many problems in our society, with our NHS, with our housing.

“I don’t think it makes us right wing and bigoted to say that.”

Joe is a third-generation Indian immigrant and his grandparents came to England in 1972.

“My grandmother loved this country, she would always support England in football when we were playing,” he said.

“She’s gone now, and I’m kind of glad in a way that she is, because she’d be disgusted with what’s happening now.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “It rests with individual schools to make local decisions about their own activities. As such, the local authority has no role in this matter.”

Richard Tice, the current deputy leader of Reform UK, posted on Facebook to call on the school’s governors to “reverse this cultural lunacy”.

“Headteacher surrenders to woke mob,” the MP for Boston and Skegness said.

In a letter sent to parents, headteacher Miss Mander said: "We understand that this change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years.

"However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity.

"We are exploring alternative ways to celebrate the season in future years, that will be inclusive of all children and reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community."