A Los Angeles judge dismissed a Christian group's lawsuit to force Santa Monica to allow nativity scenes in a city park.

Last year, the city banned unattended private displays in the park following a bitter dispute after atheists won 18 of 21 spaces that are auctioned off every year.

The nativity scene had been erected in Palisades Park for decades before the dispute.

An attorney for the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee will appeal the judge's decision.