A GWENT AM has told of his regret at having smacked his children - as the National Assembly was urged to press for a ban on smacking children.

John Griffiths, (pictured) who represents Newport East, told a meeting yesterday of his regrets. The Labour AM said it was "counter-productive and wrong" and the Assembly should lead a campaign for reform.

He added parents wanted an alternative but needed information and advice on other forms of discipline: "The message it sends is very much one of violence being the answer."

He was speaking after Labour AM Christine Chapman said smacking was a euphemism for physical violence and breached children's human rights.

She said children in Wales and England were deprived of the rights afforded to youngsters in countries such as Israel, Germany, France and Scotland which have introduced bans on smacking.

The Cynon Valley AM predicted smacking would one day be compared to wife-beating and slavery.

She said politicians should challenge public opinion. "As a mother I will admit to having smacked my children, but the sense of guilt is still with me today," she said.

The Assembly has introduced pioneering measures to improve the protection of children, primarily the appointment of a Children's Commissioner for Wales.

The Assembly does not have the power to introduce a ban on smacking. But Ms Chapman called for a large scale public information campaign comparable to those on drink-driving and wearing seat-belts.

The call had backing from AMs from all four parties. Plaid Cymru's Pauline Jarman (South Wales Central) said almost every child she had met opposed smacking and the time had come for a change of attitude. She called for a national campaign to outlaw it.

Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams (Breon and Radnorshire), herself a new mother, said allowing smacking sent out the message that it was all right to hit babies and toddlers. Tory AM Glyn Davies (Mid and West Wales) said smacking was wrong, but said an information campaign might be a better means than a law change.

Health and social services minister Jane Hutt said she had "considerable personal sympathy" with those who wanted smacking banned.

She is to meet anti-smacking campaigners to discuss how to take forward their demands. Ms Hutt said she would welcome a full Assembly debate on the issue and a public information campaign.