Brainstorming has undoubtedly generated some bolts of brilliance and flashes of inspiration over the years.

But in genteel Tunbridge Wells, the council decided it might lead to the traditionally Disgusted residents of the town becoming Offended as well.

So now the expression brainstorming has been banned. And in future, meetings to generate new ideas will be referred to as 'thought showers'.

Tunbridge Wells Council has replaced 'brainstorming' sessions with 'thought showers'

Brainstorming, first coined in the 1890s, was used by psychiatrists to refer to severe nervous attacks. And although since the 1940s it has meant a meeting to produce new ideas, councillors are concerned it may prove offensive to epileptics.

The National Society for Epilepsy said this was unlikely. It surveyed members three years ago to ask whether they found the phrase offensive.

Spokesman Amanda Cleaver said: 'The answer was a resounding No. It certainly wasn't deemed offensive at all. People thought it was a great word to describe the coming together and discussion of ideas.'

But diversity officers at Tunbridge Wells borough council are standing firm. Personnel chief Val Green said: 'We take equality and diversity issues very seriously. It is important to us not to offend people and we are sorry if through trying to avoid this, we have indeed caused offence to the very people we were trying not to offend.

'If the epilepsy association finds the term perfectly acceptable, then we welcome this clarification. If however, the term does in fact offend even a small minority, we would encourage people to get in touch with us.'

Thought shower has already replaced brainstorming elsewhere - including at Redbridge Education Business Partnership in East London, the Deanes School in Essex, and the Church of England's Diocese of Southwark.

But critics remained unenthusiastic. Richard Colwill, of the mental health charity Sane, said. 'Using brainstorming in the context of a council meeting I wouldn't imagine would cause offence.'

Of the thought shower, he added: 'I don't think it will catch on.'