The Jobsworth & Judy Show: Puppeteer takes revenge by making health and safety officer villain of his story

The veteran showman created a new stage villain - in the shape of a balding health and safety inspector, complete with a yellow fluorescent jacket.

And to push home his point, the new character gets regular whacks from Punch with his famous slap-stick.

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"I got the idea when I received a letter from my local authority saying I should fill in a risk assessment form for my show,' said 63-year- old Mr Edwards.

"Have you ever heard of anything more ridiculous? This is a Punch and Judy show with puppets and a tented stage. What are they suggesting could happen? I wrote back refusing to comply and they backed off."

The inspector intervenes during sketches involving a crocodile and when sausages make an appearance.

"He asks whether Punch has made risk assessments before allowing the props on stage - it always gets a laugh," said Mr Edwards.

"He's a target for humour because the whole notion of health and safety has got out of hand. Inspectors are over-zealous and have become a joke.

"Punch is all about bringing idiots and lunacy to light."

Mr Edwards, a former producer of children's TV show Tiswas, travels from his home in Worthing, West Sussex, all over the world with his show. WHEN Glyn Edwards was ordered to fill in a health and safety assessment for his Punch and Judy show, there was only one way to hit back.

The veteran showman created a new stage villain - in the shape of a balding health and safety inspector, complete with a yellow fluorescent jacket.

And to push home his point, the new character gets regular whacks from Punch with his famous slap-stick.

'I got the idea when I received a letter from my local authority saying I should fill in a risk assessment form for my show,' said 63-year- old Mr Edwards.

'Have you ever heard of anything more ridiculous? This is a Punch and Judy show with puppets and a tented stage. What are they suggesting could happen? I wrote back refusing to comply and they backed off.'

The inspector intervenes during sketches involving a crocodile and when sausages make an appearance.

'He asks whether Punch has made risk assessments before allowing the props on stage - it always gets a laugh,' said Mr Edwards.

'He's a target for humour because the whole notion of health and safety has got out of hand. Inspectors are over-zealous and have become a joke.

'Punch is all about bringing idiots and lunacy to light.'

Mr Edwards, a former producer of children's TV show Tiswas, travels from his home in Worthing, West Sussex, all over the world with his show.

"We've run into the dreaded health and safety issue before," he said.

"It's madness. They'll be telling us how to blow our noses next."