A school has banned the playground game British Bulldog after complaints that it was “too aggressive”.

Meeching Valley Primary School said youngsters were still allowed to play games such as tag and stuck in the mud, but added British Bulldog – where the aim of the game is to run from one end of the field of play to the other, without being caught – is now forbidden.

The school, in Valley Road, Newhaven, asked parents if they could enforce the rules at home as well as in class. The school said in a letter to parents: “Thank you to the parent who put a comment in the ‘comment box’ in the reception area regarding children playing British Bulldog.

“Children are not allowed to play this game as it can lead to children getting hurt.

“Please support the school by reinforcing this at home. Thank you.”

Speaking to The Argus, headteacher Davina Wakelin said: “British Bulldog can end up becoming quite an aggressive game.

“A child could fall down and become hurt.

“We have an anonymous comments box at school where parents can leave remarks.

“I checked it and a parent had said, ‘My child does not like British Bulldog and feels a bit intimidated by it’.

“In a way the children are very clever – they play the game but change the name.

“It is a traditional childhood game. But for some children it is very aggressive.

“We are a caring school and we would not want children to get hurt.”

Previously, Ms Wakelin has blamed video games for violent play.

In a school newsletter in 2012 she said: “It has been brought to our attention that a number of children are being exposed to video games that are not age-appropriate.

“As a result, this is being transferred to their play and resulting in some violent play and inappropriate language among the children.”