LEGO has been accused of making children covet unattainable squat, yellow bodies with c-shaped hooks for hands.

The Danish toy company was branded ‘dangerous’ and ‘irresponsible’ by a government watchdog, following complaints about the unrealistic physical standards its figures display.

Mother-of-two Donna Sheridan said: “My youngest son turned to me yesterday and said, ‘Mummy, I hope I grow up to look like a Lego man.’

“It was heartbreaking. I had to sit him down and explain that his hands will never come to resemble half-eaten Hula Hoops, nor will his head develop a circular growth onto which various hats and hairstyles can be clicked.

“He was inconsolable. I hope Lego is happy with itself.”

Julian Cook, a father of three, said: “Lego is promoting an aesthetic standard that is simply not achievable for human beings. My 12-year-old daughter spends all her time trying to make her body shorter and stockier, and her nose disappear completely.

“I keep telling her she’s beautiful as she is, but she just says, ‘Not as beautiful as a Lego person'”.

He added: “How do those Danish bastards sleep at night?”