The UK Manages To Top Itself Again

If ever you find yourself wanting or needing to spend some time in Shropshire's Telford Town Park, be sure to bring at least one child with you. Failure to do so will, by order of the council that manages the place,result in you getting a stern questioning from park wardens because surely anybody in a public park without kids with them is obviously a pedophile regardless of whether or not heoffered to tickle your kids for you.

The policy came to light after two environmental campaigners dressed as penguins were thrown out of the park last month when caught handing out leaflets on climate change.

Telford and Wrekin Council said Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson were ejected because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before entering the park - a requirement under the Child Protection Act.

David Ottley, recreation manager at the Tory-run council, said in a letter to a member of the public over that issue: 'Our town park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the park and request the reason for them being there.

'In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather.'

At this rate, the story about people being stopped for using streets without riding in at least one car can't be far behind.