The Christian Institute, a UK charity, is taking legal action against Google after the search engine refused to take its advertisements.

Google bans adverts which link "abortion and religious-related content" but the charity, which opposes abortion, embryonic stem cell research and chemical contraception, is taking legal action to try and change the policy.

Colin Hart, director of The Christian Institute: said: "Google promotes itself as a company committed to the ideals of free speech and the free exchange of ideas. It is against this standard that Google's anti-religious policy is so unjust.”

"For many people, Google is the doorway to the internet. It is an influential gatekeeper to the marketplace of debate. If there is to be a free exchange of ideas then Google cannot give special free speech rights to secular groups whilst censoring religious views.”

"To describe abortion and religion-related content as 'unacceptable content', while at the same time advertising pornography, is ridiculous."

The group is planning to sue under the Equality Act 2006, which prohibits religious discrimination in the provision of a good, facility or service. It says that Google carries adverts from non-religious groups on abortion and it is demanding equality under the law.