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The creator of Paddington Bear has told of his shock after the film version of the adventure book was deemed unsuitable for young children.

Michael Bond said he was "very upset" after the British Board of Film Classification warned the big-screen version of the children's book featured sex references and dangerous behaviour.

The board warned: "There are occasional sequences of mild threat when Paddington is chased by the villain who threatens to kill and stuff him, as well as a brief sequence in which Paddington lies unconscious on a table while a taxidermist prepares their tools nearby."

Awarding the film a Parental Guidance certificate, the board added: "There are some mild sex references.

"Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children".

The film is set to feature Ben Whishaw as the voice for the fearless bear with a taste for marmalade, who travels to London from Peru.

Mr Bond, 88, is due to see the film tomorrow and has not been involved in the much-loved story's transformation to a big-screen blockbuster.

He told the Daily Mail: "I’m totally amazed. I’d be very upset. I might not sleep well tonight."

Mr Bond added: "I can’t imagine what the sex references are. It doesn’t enter into it with the books, certainly."