A group of nurseries in the north-west of England have banned children from celebrating their birthdays with sweets or cake - in the name of healthy eating.
Any sweets and cake brought to the nurseries in Knowsley cannot be eaten on site, and must be given to parents at the end of the day.
Knowsley Borough Council and Chester University have introduced the "Pre-School Nutrition Project" which sets out strict rules for nurseries, according to the Telegraph.
Julie Tierney, the assistant public health director behind the scheme, told the Telegraph: "Our Health & Wellbeing's Early Years Healthy Eating Guidelines encourage nurseries to provide healthy snacks and treats for all children in their care, and encourages them to choose foods and drinks that are not high in sugar as part of a healthy lifestyle.
"It is important that special days are celebrated and nurseries are innovative and creative in the way that they do this without the need to give foods high in sugar."
However the authorities have been criticised for the move, with one campaigner claiming they are "spoiling childhood".
Nick Seaton, who chairs the Campaign for Real Education, told the Telegraph: "I am all for nurseries encouraging children to eat healthier. But banning sweets on birthdays is taking it too far.
"Diet is all about moderation and judgement. The powers that be should not be spoiling childhood all together.
"If you ban things completely some children will obviously rebel and it can be counter productive."
Researchers at Chester University are drawing up a report on the scheme, which will be given to council chiefs at the end of May.
Children have been eating cake on birthdays at nurseries for decades - but then perhaps that's why there are so many fat kids around.
What do you think? Is this a responsible move, given the increase in child obesity? Or are they just being spoil-sports?
Source: Daily Telegraph