Bristol-based Lost & Grounded insists that its artwork is “no different to the multitude of other brands on the market that utilise an artistic style”.

However, the industry’s self-funded independent regulator insists that the “prominence of the cartoon animals” goes too far, The Guardian reports.

The Portman Group has now issued a rare “retailer alert bulletin” advising supermarkets and retailers not to stock the cans.

The regulator has only issued seven such warnings in the past five years.