Bingo players are boycotting the local town hall bingo after the council has banned phrases such as "two fat ladies" and "legs eleven" for fear of offending the audience.  John Sayers, who runs charity games in Sudbury, Suffolk, commented although no-one had complained, he was told by a council clerk the traditional bingo call could upset some players.

MPlayers moaned his new numbers-only style was boring.  A town council spokeswoman said it was "sad" they had to give the advice but they had to be "politically correct" and the authority was concerned it may face legal action. Bingosupermarket reported just before Christmas that there was a campaign being run to protect the traditions of the game from European politicians as such attitute were predicted.

"The concern was that if there might be two large ladies in the audience when I said 'two fat ladies 88' or someone might think I was looking at their legs when I said 'legs 11'," said the 75 year old, who is a member of Sudbury Town Council and former mayor.

"I was advised that someone might take offence and we could end up being taken to court."

He added: "No-one had ever complained about being offended. But they moan now they say it's boring. And I think just saying the numbers is boring too.

"I'm obviously not being offensive - just having a bit of fun. It's the tradition of the game and part of our language."

"What's the alternative, 'two generously proportioned people of either gender?' It's not very snappy."

A council spokeswoman told the East Anglian Daily Times: "In particular with John being a councillor we have to be politically correct."

She added: "It is very sad because it is part of the fun of bingo but unfortunately in today's society people take it literally."