Tom and Jerry cut for political correctness

The broadcasting regulator Ofcom has come down hard on children's favourite Tom and Jerry. Apparently those cartoon pranksters have been tempting generations of children to the evil weed. Scenes from the cartoon that show the characters smoking are to be digitally removed following a complaint from a single viewer.

A parent contacted the TV channel Boomerang to say that the cartoons weren't suitable for children – and has had her feelings supported by the regulator. 'We note that, in Tom and Jerry, smoking usually appears in a stylised manner and is frequently not condoned,' admitted Ofcom in its ruling. 'However, while we appreciate the historic integrity of the animation, the level of editorial justification required for the inclusion of smoking in such cartoons is necessarily high.'

The TV company which owns the cartoon will now be forced to go back and reedit the cartoons before they can be shown again.

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