Kids at the Adolf Reichwein School in Essen got an unexpected treat on the first day at primary school: porn-projecting pens provided by the German Communist Party.

Reuters explains that six-year-old nippers normally get a cardboard cone packed with sweets to "sweeten" their induction, but were instead punted the pens which "lit up at the push of a button".

Parents were less than impressed with the gifts, which the red-faced Reds said they'd bought at a discount store, and which reportedly delivered "erotic images". In a statement, the party offered: "The German Communist Party deeply regrets what has happened and is outraged that this kind of thing, which borders on pornography, can be purchased in normal shops."

While the Commies' lawyers are investigating whether the vendors can be brought to book for smutmongery, they've offered to replace the offending items with "something more suitable for children". ®

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