The booklet's author Sue Finch had conceded that the advice might surprise some adults, the Times reported  on Tuesday.

 ``A little bit of competition is fine, but with musical chairs the competition is not
  fair because it is always the biggest and strongest children who win,'' Finch was
  quoted as saying.

``Musical statues is better because everybody wins,'' she said.

 Theresa May, education spokeswoman for the opposition Conservative Party, slammed Education Minister Margaret Hodge for launching the booklet, saying it was ``political correctness gone mad.''

 ``Children have played and enjoyed it for years,'' May said.
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