School crucifixes in clear

Crucifixes can be displayed in state school classrooms, the European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: "We welcome this as common sense - recognising the culture of many countries in Europe."

It had been feared that, if successful, a bid to ban them in Italy could have seen staff across Europe forced to remove crucifixes from all public buildings, including educational establishments.

The new ruling is binding for all 47 countries that are members of the Council of Europe.

In November 2009, the court had ruled that the crucifix could be disturbing to non-Christian or atheist pupils.

Several European countries appealed against the ruling.