Pantomime is hit by Red Cross ban

The Glasgow Pavilion theatre's annual pantomime has been found to be in violation of the Geneva Convention.

But it isn't the gags of risqué star Jim Davidson which saw The Magical Adventures of Robin Hood fall foul of a legal statute more commonly associated with war crimes.

Rather that the red crosses sewn on to the costume of one character, Nurse Poltis, were an unauthorised use of an emblem declared sacrosanct by the convention. A British Red Cross spokesman said: "We have no desire to be the villains of the pantomime or to appear heavy-handed, but... the emblem is a special sign of neutrality and protection, recognised by all sides during armed conflicts.

"Misuse of that emblem – even when done in an innocent and light-hearted manner – has to be addressed. Repeated and widespread misuse of the Red Cross emblem could dilute its neutrality and its ability to protect."

The organisation confirmed it had protested to Pavilion management over the use of the symbol and the offending costume will instead now feature green crosses.