An organiser of a village Christmas party has learned the dangers of asking stupid questions, after receiving a lengthy risk assessment checklist from Craven District Council.

"The council gave me a huge list of things we had to do. I wrote back, a little bit tongue in cheek, asking if I really had to risk assess free mince pies and a brass band, and they said yes."

The organisers will also have to warn partygoers that the mince pies contain suet and nuts, as well as checking the temperature and cocoa content of hot chocolate.