Controversial Channel 4 comedy series Jam has been branded "unacceptable" by the Broadcasting Standards Commission.

Sketches involving abortion, dead children and people with special needs, were criticised after the watchdog received a string of complaints.

According to the commission, the comedy show - which marked controversial performer Chris Morris' return to TV - violated taste and decency guidelines in broadcasting.

Three sketches in particular from the surreal series - which began life as Blue Jam on BBC Radio 1 - were singled out by the commission.

It said the scenes went "beyond acceptable boundaries in their treatment of issues of particular sensitivity which required greater respect for the vulnerability of those depicted".

Complaints

In one sketch a plumber was called to a house to "fix" a dead baby. In another, a woman who had recently had an abortion was given a tiny coffin as a gift by her lover.

In the third, when a house vendor gazumps a buyer - by demanding sex rather than money - he is offered a relative with disabilities.

Although warnings were screened before each show, viewers complained about the contents of five episodes from the series.

Morris made his name on BBC Radio 4's satirical show On The Hour and was nominated for a Sony Radio Award for Blue Jam.

But he also caused a stir with his previous series for Channel 4, Brass Eye, in which he included a vulgar subliminal message about the-then Channel 4 chief, Michael Grade.

Complaints against Channel 4's The 11 O'Clock Show were also upheld over sketches about bullying and people with mental disabilities.