Dixons Stores Group may have scored an own goal with Bully, the controversial new title for Sony's PlayStation 2, by banning it from shelves in PC World and Curry's. 

The title, which is receiving good reviews from games magazines, has been criticised for encouraging violent behaviour in a school setting.

A Dixons spokesman said that the sensitive subject matter had led the group to take the view that it could not stock the title and still maintain a "family friendly" image.

Bully is set in a fictional high school called Bullworth Academy, whose Principal Crabblesnitch extols the virtues of instilling "strong moral fibre" in his students within an institution of "stern discipline and an unparalleled commitment to structure". 

Students have strict codes of behaviour, but are encouraged to settle scores and undermine bullying behaviour in "creative" ways. The look and feel of the title is more of an incarcerating institution than educational establishment.

Bully was created by Canadian games house Rockstar, a subsidiary of NY-based Take Two Interactive, and best known for the ultra-violent Grand Theft Auto. 

Initial reaction to the title suggests that consumers may be taken by it. GameRankings.com, which aggregates review scores from games magazines, has given Bully an initial cumulative score of 89 per cent.

The game will be available at outlets including Game and HMV.