PLANS to bring `dwarf tossing' to Manchester have been met with anger.

Organisers hope to attract as many as 100 dwarves to the Printworks for what would be the largest ever event in Britain.

Dwarf tossing is banned in France, Canada and parts of the US and opposition to the Manchester event is growing.

Contestants throw volunteer dwarves in protective gear as high or as far as they can.

The competition is being run by the Sunday Sport and is planned for Saturday at the Pure nightspot.

Photographer and dwarf Phil `The Dynamo', who came up with the idea, insists there is nothing wrong with it. Phil, 28, from Denton: "Everyone there is there of their own volition, making a fuss about it is political correctness gone bonkers.

"Nobody gets hurt, they all wear protective gear and it's just a bit of fun.

"I'll be one of the ones being thrown and my advice to people who don't like it is just not to get involved."

Barbaric

But chairman of the Restricted Growth Association David Pain said dwarf throwing was barbaric.

He said: "I cannot believe that in a modern day civil society people with a disability can be allowed to be humiliated and abused in such a public manner.

"I have always considered Manchester to be a rich and diverse artistic and cultural city, and I am disappointed that such a great city will demean itself by hosting dwarf throwing."

Britain still holds the official record following a World Dwarf Tossing Championships in Australia in 1986.

Coun Pat Karney said he wasn't happy about the event. He said: "It sounds in disgustingly bad taste and I can't believe it's going to go ahead. I'll certainly be talking to the owners of the nightclub."

A dwarf who protested against a French ban on the spectacle lost a human rights case in 2002.

Manuel Wackenheim used to earn his living being thrown around bars and discos by customers. But the UN said it should be banned to `protect public order and considerations of human dignity'.

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