It comes after a Muslim worker said they were offended by pig-shaped stress relievers delivered to the authority. Tension has increased in the department and as the partner of one of the members of staff who did not want to be named, said: "It's caused a bit of an atmosphere in the office. The staff did comply but it's just crazy - things like ornaments that have been on desks for years have had to be removed." Mike Williams, who is responsible for the department, said that a member of staff said they were offended by the products in the run up to Ramadan.  He said a decision will be taken after Eid about whether the items are allowed back.

When question as to the reason the member of staff gave in making the request for the items removal, he said it "did not matter why it was considered offensive". A local Councillor Mahbubur Rahman, a practicing Muslim, said he agreed with the action taken. "If it is a request made by an individual and other officers can reason a compromise it is a good thing, it is a tolerance and acceptance of their beliefs and understanding But if it were a blanket ban I don't know how it would benefit the whole issue of working together.