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When the Government decided to outlaw people being discriminated against because of their religion or sexuality, it hoped the move would guarantee equal treatment for all of Britain's increasingly diverse population.

But nobody in Whitehall foresaw the backlash that would unfold when hundreds of committed Christians who run bed-and-breakfasts were deprived of their right to ban gays, unmarried couples and people of other faiths from staying under their roof.

Hundreds of B&B owners across the country have been writing to ministers complaining that the new rules will force them to 'betray God' and their consciences by allowing 'undesirables' to enjoy their hospitality.

'We've had a lot of correspondence from Christian B&B operators who don't want to be forced to accept Satanists, Muslims, gays and even unmarried couples as guests,' said a Home Office official. 'Protestants have been writing in saying they shouldn't have to admit Catholics because they have an issue with their religion, Catholics saying they didn't want Jews under their roof and objections from followers of other types of faith.'

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A DTI spokeswoman said: 'The idea that you could say to someone "I don't like black people in my shop" is ridiculous and illegal, so why should that not be the same for religion or sexuality? We live in a modern society where people of all different religions, colours and sexuality are entitled to their human rights.'

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People have every right not to like Blacks, gays or Catholics (the last one is a rather amazing residue, ain't it?) and not to have them over for supper or as overnight houseguests, but not if it is a business or public accomodation.

I find it hard to believe that this is a major problem in Britain, but, y'know, I'm often wrong.

I've stayed at a lot of B+Bs, especially in the Highlands, and most of the time I found the experience disappointingly anonymous. Maybe the proprietors noticed that we were one man plus one woman, so maybe we had het privilege, but you could have fooled me.

Not that I've met any (who were open about it, anyway... hmmm...), but somehow, I doubt me much that your average Satanist is really a B & B type person.