Fiona Bruce is allowed to wear a cross while presenting the news as long as it is not "large" and "shiny", BBC executives have ruled.

The corporation sought to end a debate over the religious symbols that newscasters are allowed to wear by ruling that they must not distract viewers.

Some BBC executives argued that any dress which indicates the religious or political leanings of news presenters should not be permitted.

But viewers reacted angrily to suggestions that the crucifix necklace, which Bruce has worn on several occasions, might now be prohibited.

After inviting viewer responses on his BBC blog, Peter Horrocks, Head of Television News, wrote: "The majority of people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds believed if a presenter is wearing religious clothing as part of their identity then it is absolutely fine for them to continue to do so."

He added: "I agree with this view, although on an individual basis we do need to consider whether symbols distract and get in the way of their (newsreaders) primary job of communicating the news."

"The wearing of a full veil, would for example hinder communication with the audience; a large, shiny cross would be too distracting."

Mr Horrocks acknowledged that a minority of respondents believed that "any symbols had the potential to distract and could compromise impartiality".

He emphasised that Ms Bruce had not been banned from wearing the cross but the issue had been raised at a BBC Governors’ meeting during a debate about impartiality.

Viewers remained sceptical over Mr Horrocks’ compromise. One replied on his blog: "A large, shiny cross sounds more like fashion than faith.

"So are you suggesting that the real problem with Fiona Bruce’s cross is not actually religious intolerance, but a call for presenters not to wear jewellery because it is distracting?"

Stephen Whittle, controller of BBC editorial policy until last year, said last month it was a "mistake" to allow Ms Bruce to wear the cross on air.

He said: "A newsreader should not let themselves get in the way of a story by wearing things that make the audience wonder about the newsreader’s own position on a story." The BBC had not reported any viewer complaints over Ms Bruce’s cross.

The issue fed into a wider debate about religious dress and impartiality. A Heathrow check-in worker, Nadia Eweida, was suspended after refusing to remove a small necklace crucifix, which breached the British Airways dress code.

Some firms have cited health and safety regulations as their reason for not allowing crosses to be worn. The debate was sparked by Jack Straw’s call for Muslim women to remove the veil in his MP’s surgery.

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