Unnecessary warnings that bags of peanuts “may contain nuts” and overly protective rules banning conker fights in schools, will be targeted by a new watchdog intended to restore Britain’s spirit of adventure.

Gordon Brown is so concerned that a ‘cotton-wool culture’ is denying people the freedom to enjoy themselves that he has asked the watchdog to report to him personally.

The move comes after a festive season in which actors in pantomimes were banned from throwing sweets to children in case someone got hit on the head and Christmas lights were banned in towns and villages for fear that they might pull down lampposts.

The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council has been set up in response to recommendations from the Better Regulation Commission that it has replaced.

A body for common sense will be set up alongside a national campaign to emphasise the importance of self-reliance and a sense of adventure. It is intended to engage the public, and remind them that the government is not responsible for every accident or piece of bad fortune that befalls its citizens.

The team of seven will tackle policy areas where there are fears that the government is in danger of overkill.

Source: The Times, 16 January, p4