Store withdraws man-shaped punchbag

The high street chemist Superdrug has withdrawn a women's boxing set from sale after complaints from a support group for male victims of domestic violence.

The ManKind Initiative told the store its man-shaped inflatable punchbag encouraged women to hit men.

It wrote to Superdrug's managing director calling for the £9.99 product to be withdrawn.

The Hers Boxing Set comes in pink packaging and contains a man-shaped punchbag and a pair of boxing gloves.

ManKind Initiative said owners were encouraged to insert photos of a man for the punchbag's face. A picture on the product packaging shows an arrow pointing to a man's groin, saying "kick him here".

Mark Brooks, chairman of The ManKind Initiative, said the fact that Superdrug did not sell a similar product for men suggested domestic violence against men was more acceptable.