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Parents could be banned from smacking their children after the Government announced a full review of the law yesterday.

Family campaigners immediately denounced the move as "unnecessary state interference" and warned that it could criminalise responsible parents.

Beverley Hughes, the children's minister, said that the Government would be seeking the views of parents and professionals this summer about changes that were made to the law three years ago.

The Government ruled out a total ban on smacking in 2001, saying that the law, which allowed "reasonable chastisement", sufficiently protected children in England and Wales.

Under tougher laws introduced in 2004, mild smacking is still allowed but parents who hit children hard enough to leave a mark can face up to five years in prison.

"The law is clear - violence against a child is illegal," said Miss Hughes. "Parliament did not go as far as to ban all smacking because it didn't want to see decent parents criminalised."

She added: "We have no reason to believe that the law needs to be changed; however, in 2004 we made a proper commitment to examine the practical consequences of the changes to the legislation."

Child protection charities welcomed the announcement, saying it was "unacceptable" for parents to hit children.

Colette Marshall, the UK director of Save the Children, said: "Children are vulnerable and are currently treated unequally. They must have the same protection from assault as adults."