THE film blockbuster Da Vinci Code was placed under the spotlight of North-East church leaders at a sell-out debate staged in a nightclub.

The film, based on Dan Brown's controversial novel, which claims Jesus Christ was mortal and had a child with Mary Magdalene, was discussed at a forum chaired by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Martin Wharton, at the Tiger Tiger club, in Newcastle.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, opened proceedings by giving the film "three-and-a-half out of ten".

He said: "There was gratuitous violence, the music was distinctly non-memorable, the special effects were fine and it just about kept me interested. I wouldn't cross the street to see it again."

Sister Patsy MacDonald, lecturer in New Testament studies at Ushaw College, Durham, described the movie as clunky, while Methodist minister and university lecturer David Wilkinson said he quite enjoyed it, but thought it an hour too long.

Asked if it would make any difference if Jesus had had a child, Dr Wright said Jesus must have been aware of his sexuality, but had he had a child, he would have been a "very different person and Christianity would never have begun and taken the shape that it has".

He slated Brown's interpretation of references to Mary Magdalene kissing Jesus and added: "The idea that Mary Magdalene was Jesus' bit on the side was really demeaning, when in fact she was an independent witness to the Resurrection."

Speaking after the debate, Dr Wright said: "The main thing is that there is no reason at all for the Church to be afraid or ashamed over getting out in the public domain and listening to questions and making considered and reasoned responses.

"This is the very antithesis of the shrill atmosphere where we are saying we know what is right."