READERS of the Cotswold Journal and its sister titles say that new smacking laws to be brought in in Scotland should not be brought to the UK.

Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed the smacking of children would be banned in the country.

Overall, 456 people voted in our poll "Should smacking be banned in England?" and 69 percent voted in favour of keeping the current smacking laws in the UK with 26 percent in favour of banning it and five percent not sure.

Commenters in favour of smacking included Lee-Marie Brough who commented on the Worcester News Facebook page: "Huge difference between a smack on the bottom/hand and a beating. Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed the smacking of children would be banned in the country.

"I am all for parents giving a slap.. im not for beating. A lot of us here grew up in an age where we dare not defy our parents for fear of the slap and a lot of us grew up into respectful adults. It's done us no harm at all."

Nathan Preedy added: "Personally I'm in favour of smacking if the cause warrants it, kids need to understand the notion of discipline or they'll grow into young adults thinking they have a God-given right to do whatever they want when they want without any heed for the consequences."

Carly Finch commented against smacking: "What does a smack actually do though? Other than showing your kids it's ok to hit someone.

"All the 'it never done me any harm' is silly, yes it may not have but what did it change?

"I think it's wrong, I teach my child if someone hits you then you hit them back so if I smacked her that would be defeating the object."

The Scottish legislation will remove the defence of ''justifiable assault'' in Scots law, which allows parents to use physical punishment to admonish a child.

The move would make Scotland the first part of the UK to introduce a ban on smacking children.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Mr Finnie's proposals are not a Scottish Government Bill, however we will ensure the proposals become law.

"We believe physical punishment can have negative effects on children which can last long after the physical pain has died away."