A British mum has revealed how she was shamed for using the name "Father Christmas" - as the term "isn't gender neutral".

The woman said she was slammed in a Facebook group for not calling him Santa Claus instead.

The woman said she has been left feeling "on edge" after getting criticised after joining in a discussion about a children's book.

PlymouthLive shared how the mum said: "I've just been shamed [on a Facebook group] for using the name 'Father Christmas' and told that 'Santa' is now seen as gender neutral.

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"I was only referring to the book below [Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs] but it's left me a little confused/on edge about what we are allowed to say.

"I have a small child and don't really want to raise him saying 'Father Christmas' if it's hurtful to some."

Many people were quick to leap to her defence, with one saying: "I am all for equality but where does this stupidity stop?"

Another added: "Santa is so American, Father Christmas here and will always be Father Christmas."

And one joked: "It is Father Christmas, we are English not American! This gender neutral stuff is way out of hand."

However, one commented: "I must be the only one who hates 'Father Christmas', I much prefer 'Santa/Santa Claus,' plus it's easier for littlies to say."

Last year, GraphicSprings asked 400 people from the US and the UK about the ways to modernise Santa.

Those questioned on how to update Father Christmas were asked whether he should be male, female or gender neutral.

In the UK, nearly one in six those questioned thought Santa should be gender neutral.

Other suggestions included ditching his iconic suit for skinny jeans, trainers, a hoverboard and tattoos.

However, on Twitter, one person noted: "You cannot change history - St Nicholas, the guy who started the whole stocking hanging thing was a man!!"

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Mum shamed online for Santa slip up