The monks behind a controversial tonic wine have blasted a Scottish confectioner as "highly irresponsible" for making Buckfast-flavoured sweets.

Buckfast have struggled to shake off a reputation that has led to the drink being directly linked with violent crime and antisocial behaviour.

Confectioners Ross's of Edinburgh has now concocted the flavour to appeal to "the younger generation".

The sweets, called Buckfast Flavoured Creams, have only been on sale for a few weeks and there is already a growing demand for them.

A spokesman for the medieval monastry in Buckfastleigh, Devon, said this is unwanted publicity.

He said there was concern about children getting a hold of any product associated with alcohol.

"The production of the Buckfast-flavoured Rock is highly irresponsible in our view," he said.

"Products which are accessible to children should not be produced using the flavouring of any alcoholic beverages."