The Nutters packaging features three confused-looking nut characters with open mouths, crossed-eyes and part of their heads missing

Poundland is being pushed to remove a new range of sweets called 'Nutters' over concerns they stigmatise people with mental health problems.

The chocolate-covered peanuts - which are reminiscent of M&Ms - have been attacked as insensitive after they went on sale at the budget store's 896 outlets.

Their packaging features three confused-looking nut characters with open mouths, crossed-eyes and part of their heads missing.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, whose son Archie has mental health problems, told The Sun the sweets need to be 'quickly withdrawn'.

The MP added: 'There is a stigma attached to mental health and we need to be careful about the way we talk about it.'

Dr Sophie Dix, from the charity MQ: Transforming Mental health, and psychologist Dr Rick Norris also criticised Nutters.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, whose son Archie has mental health problems, said the sweets need to be 'quickly withdrawn'

Poundland said it is 'saddened' that the product had offended people and promised to 'assess this line'

Poundland, meanwhile, said it is 'saddened' that the product had offended people and promised to 'assess this line'.

It comes a month after the store, which had an operating income of £56.9 million last year, claimed that the Toblerone is not distinctive enough to be a trademark.

The Twin Peaks bar came under fire amid accusations it was too similar to a Toblerone bar

The new Toblerone bar in the background, compared with the Twin Peaks bar in front, by Poundland

The company was defending the launch of its own chocolate bar called 'Twin Peaks' - which was similar to the Toblerone.

The launch of the product was delayed after Mondelez, the makers of Toblerone, threatened legal action over the copycat chocolate treat.