BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride has hit out at "woolly minded liberals" who oppose correcting persistently unruly youngsters with a smack.

She spoke after an all-party group of MPs condemned the Government's plans to allow childminders, with parental permission, to correct their children with a smack.

The report, by the Commons's education sub committee, came as a blow to early years minister Margaret Hodge who proposed the controversial legislation.

Miss Kirkbride, the mother of a three-month-old son, said she saw no harm in letting a trusted childminder physically discipline a child.

She added: "I'm fed up with the woolly minded liberal establishment which would not have our children know the difference between right and wrong.

"Used sparingly I can see no problem with a short sharp smack for a child who persists in being naughty."

The committee said the decision to allow smacking with parental consent was "totally unacceptable."

The minister pointed out that a survey by the Department for Education and Employment showed eight out of ten parents wanted to be able to make a choice.