DO THEY know it's Christmas? - that was the question from churchgoers after hearing the council planned to block their access road for most of December.

With a new cut-price supermarket about to open nearby, improvement work was needed to a road junction.

But the three weeks of roadworks meant the prospect of chaos for the hundreds of regular worshippers and thousands of extra attendees expected over the festive season.

Then the council saw the light and decided to close off only one end of St Aldhelm's Road, in Branksome, only allowing access to St Aldhelm's Church.

A number of churchgoers contacted Poole council to oppose the road closure.

Churchwarden John Smith said: "We were very upset because they were going to close the road for almost the whole of December up to a few days before Christmas.

"At this time of year we have thousands of people coming to worship and for carol services.

"We felt as though it was religious discrimination."

Matters were made worse because cycle lanes along nearby Lindsay Road also prevent cars stopping to drop people off.

The road closure is needed for the council to improve the junction with Poole Road before the new Lidl supermarket opens on January 10.

Steve Tite, traffic manager, said: "Given the representations we have received we will now be allowing access from Lindsay Road with the minimal loss of parking.

"Normally the whole length of the road would have been closed. We are hoping to get the work done before the end of the three week period."

The roadworks are scheduled to take place between December 3-21.