Outdated language used to justify corporal punishment of children is set to be removed from new translations of the Bible in Norway. Church leaders have given the green light to the proposal, put forward by the Norwegian Ombudsman for Children

Anglican Bishops in New Zealand have backed a move to end the smacking of children.

The Methodist Church has issued a statement in support of a compromise amendment to the Children Bill as the row over plans to ban parents from smacking children escalated today ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote.

Hopes of a compromise deal between anti-smacking campaigners, including church leaders in the House of Lords, and the Government grew last night.

Campaigners against violence will be cheered by the news that Church leaders are pressing ahead with efforts to ban smacking.

In the House of Lords today a bishop will introduce measures which would make the smacking of children illegal.

The Government has rejected a bid to ban the smacking of children.