WET sponges were banned from the Ulverston Carnival – for health and safety reasons.

Local ‘miscreants’ are regularly punished in the stocks in Market Place ahead of the town’s annual carnival parade on Saturday.

But wet sponges were scrapped in favour of water pistols this year.

Organiser Ralph Spours said: “We decided that, in the face of health and safety rules, it would make better sense to use super-soakers.

“We noticed that sometimes when the sponges were landing on the ground, they were landing in dirt and grit, being put back in the water butts and thrown again – and there was a danger that people could get grit in their eye.”

Furness MP John Woodcock, who was at the carnival with his daughter Maisie, said she 'absolutely loved the pistols' and, like most children, thought they were more fun than the sponges.

But he added: “There is a concern on a general level that people are growing more fearful to do what they want to because of the health and safety guidance that has been expanding in recent years.

“I think people shouldn't be put off doing what they want to do because of health and safety laws and it is the guidance that needs to be addressed."

The majority of other carnivals in South Lakeland and Furness do not host a wet sponge throwing event.

Gareth Thomas, who helps organise Staveley Carnival said 'to date' health and safety legislation had not impacted on any of their activities.