THAT'S not the way to do it - this was the message sent by Barry Town Council this week when it was revealed that a Punch and Judy show was being planned for an event on Barry Island this summer.

One of the Vale council's summer events for 2016, the Beats, Eats and Treats Weekender, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5 and promises two days of food, drinks, music and "entertainment for the whole family" on Barry Island.

At a meeting of Barry Town Council this week, members were shocked to discover that listed among the planned entertainment was a "Punch and Judy Show" - the traditional puppet show which has come under fire in recent years for its trivialisation of domestic violence.

The show, the origins of which date back more than 300 years, features the character of Mr Punch who hits his wife - and sometimes even his baby - with a stick, gleefully exclaiming "That's the way to do it".

The show has been banned from events by councils across the UK on numerous occasions in recent years.

Barry councillor Ian Johnson said that supporting an event featuring the puppet show would be at odds with the council's standpoint on domestic violence.

"Although Punch and Judy is a well recognised traditional form of entertainment, many concerns have been raised about the domestic violence which makes up part of its content," he said. "I wanted to bring to the council's attention that this may be at odds with our previous decision.

"Barry Town Council has recently passed a motion condemning violence against women and violence in the home and held a meeting with South Wales' Police's domestic violence prevention coordinator."

Speaking at the meeting, on Tuesday, May 10, Councillor Anthony Powell also said he was "surprised" to see the Punch and Judy show listed on the event schedule and Councillor Stuart Egan agreed that the council should ask the Vale to reconsider the plans.

A Vale council spokesman confirmed that the Punch and Judy Show is no longer going to feature as part of the event.

He said: "The full list of activities for the Barry Island Beats, Eats and Treats festival is currently being finalised.

"While planning events for the weekend, a host of traditional activities have been considered to ensure the event caters for everyone. The Punch and Judy show that had been considered will not be taking place."