Despite the difficulties the Evangelical Christian Union (ECU) at Exeter University has faced this term, the society is hosting its annual carol service tonight, with more than 3,000 local Christians expected to attend.

This year's event, starting at 7pm at St James' Stadium, will be one of the largest carol services in the south-west.

The ECU was forced to change its name this year to the Evangelical Christian Union, and is currently suspended as an official student society over claims its practices do not meet the new equal opportunities criteria set by the student guild.

ECU said it is looking forward to doing what it was set up for, "to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ", in the traditional setting of a carol service.

Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops have warned student unions that banning Christian societies from campuses is an illegal act.

The warning followed decisions by student guilds and associations at three universities, Exeter, Birmingham and Edinburgh, to suspend Christian groups from membership or use of premises on the grounds that their constitutions or meetings are exclusionary and discriminate against non-Christians and particularly gay people.

The director of Share Jesus International, the Rev Dr Rob Frost, criticised the bans which he called "a great tragedy".

He told Christian Today: "The loving, serving and gracious ways in which the Christian Unions have carried out their ministry over the last 80 or more years is to be applauded.

"The fact that they are now being pushed off of university campus property, and out of the mainstream of student life is a great tragedy."

Christian students are to consult legal experts following the decision by the student guild at Exeter University not to reinstate the Christian Union as a student union society will full rights and privileges.

Ben Martin, one of the CU committee members said: "It's been a tough year in many ways for the Christian Union, but we are clear about our responsibility to defend the historic teaching of the Christian faith.

"This carol service enables us to meet with thousands of other Christians in the city, and together, demonstrate our shared belief in the orthodox teaching of the Christian Church: that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived on earth, died, was buried, and rose again from the dead in order that those who believe in him shall have eternal life."

Members of the public are welcome to attend the free event.