Superheroes banned at Australian childcare centres

Superman, Batman, Spiderman and the Hulk might be able to save the world but they cannot get through the doors of an increasing number of childcare centres in one Australian city.

Declaring themselves "superhero-free zones", at least 12 centres for pre-school age children in Melbourne are banning crime-fighting superhero costumes because they say the unwelcome alter-egos encourage children to be aggressive.

But children's play expert Vickii Jenvey said: "Cloaks and masks don't cause aggression. Superheroes are actually archetypal characters, good fighting evil, and can be quite moral."