The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah has been sung by Christians since it was composed in 1741.

But it has been given a surprisingly modern twist at Hexham Abbey in Northumberland, founded in 674AD by St Wilfrid, the Bishop of York.

The massed choirs of Hexham were recorded singing the traditional advent hymn in the abbey and their version will now be available to download for mobile phone ringtones.

The only difference to the original is that God's name has been replaced with the former Newcastle and England skipper's.

Charles Jenner's lyrics of "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory to the God in the highest" have been changed to "Hallelujah! Alan Shearer! He's a legend, he's a legend, A-alan Shearer!"

Mike Judge, of moral campaigners the Christian Institute, said: "It is blasphemy and there is no doubt at all that a lot of Christians will be offended by it."

The performance is billed by the abbey as: "This year's ultimate Geordie Christmas anthem."

It now available to download as ringtone from amazingtunes.com for £1.50, with the money going towards the cost of running the abbey's boys' and girls' choirs.

The Rector of Hexham, The Revd Graham Usher, said, "I am really pleased that the Hexham Abbey Choirs have been able to have some fun with this reworking of a great piece of music.

"I hope it adds a sparkle and sense of enjoyment to all who hear it."