A council in London has received complaints after artists were encouraged to contribute paintings for a local hospital but were disallowed from submitting paintings of churches.

The invitation was made by Queen's Hospital in Romford via an email sent out by Havering Council.

Local artists were invited to submit paintings as a way of improving the atmosphere at the hospital but were told not to submit paintings of churches in order to be “mindful" of other religions. Despite the ban on paintings of churches, buildings for other religious faiths were still allowed.

The arts development officer of the council, Jo Delaney, said in a letter to Havering arts groups, “Whilst the building [Queen’s Hospital] is spacious, it has many plain brick walls which are crying out to be brightened up!”

“The matron of patient environment is keen for local artists to use the space as a gallery.

“The hospital has asked artists not to submit paintings of churches as they have to be mindful of all religious denominations.”

One local artist, Roy Storey, said that he called the council to complain about the restrictions and was told that it was the decision of the matron not to include pictures of churches.

A local painter, 71-year-old Beryl O’Brien, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying, “There are so many religious beliefs, why would they pick on churches? What about synagogues? A painting is a good picture because it is a good composition, not because of the religion."

She continued, “It seems ridiculous to try to be so inclusive, and by doing that exclude people who are tolerant to some extent.”

A spokesman for Havering Council said that the idea and its terms came from the hospital and that it had only been asked to pass on the information.