Censors win first step of battle to get ultra-violent video game Manhunt 2 banned

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Manhunt 2, designed for the Playstation and Wii, was refused a certificate by the British Board of Film Classification in June because of its "casual sadism" and "unrelenting focus on brutal slaying", but the Video Appeals Committee overturned the ruling.

The BBFC - often criticised for being too lax in its certification of violent games and films - went to the High Court, and won permission to challenge the Video Appeal Committee's decision.

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Manhunt 2, approved for release by a liberal quango, could be banned after a legal challenge was given the go-ahead (picture posed by model)

Justice Wyn Williams said: "I have taken into account the high public interest in the possibility of harm to children."

Even the game's supporters are only arguing for it to be put on sale to adults, but there are fears that if it is licensed children would gain access to it.

The previous edition of the game, Manhunt, was said to have inspired a murder in Leicester in 2004.