Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit stories have enthralled generations of children with their tales of warm camaraderie and gentle mischief.

But filmmakers behind a new adaptation of the much-loved tale have been forced to apologise after facing calls for it to be withdrawn from cinemas over a scene in which the protagonist and his furry friends deliberately pelt an allergic man with blackberries.

Allergy UK said the film, due to be released in the UK next month, "mocks" allergy sufferers and trivialises a life-threatening condition.

Carla Jones, the charity's chief executive, said: "Anaphylaxis can and does kill. To include a scene in a children's film that includes a serious allergic reaction and not to do it responsibly is unacceptable.

"Mocking allergic disease shows a complete lack of understanding of the seriousness of allergy and trivialises the challenges faced by those with this condition."

She said they expected to see a "significant response" from allergy sufferers, adding: "We will be communicating with the production company about the film's withdrawal."