A private school head teacher has urged pupils not to read Game of Thrones books, claiming they can damage their "sensitive subconscious brains".

Graeme Whiting also said fantasy titles - such as Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games and Harry Potter - "encourage difficult behaviour in children".

He told parents to steer clear of the "mystical and frightening texts" and they should instead read classics such as those by Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley and Shakespeare.

Writing on his blog, Mr Whiting - head of the independent Acorn School in Nailsworth, Gloucester - said fantasy books can be bought without a "special licence", despite damaging the "sensitive subconscious brains of young children".