Pupils have already expressed their delight

"We have to find the right time of day to do it, but the staff have already said they want to continue.

"It is another way of getting children who might not be so punctual to come in early," he added.

The toy company, called Bandai, produces power ranger models.

In Scotland, another school which had previously been involved in the Tai Chi lessons, warned Bandai it would not be party to any merchandising.

The company still maintains it does not want to make a sales pitch.

A spokesman said "The company has a social conscience.

There is a lot of pressure to perform and everybody does need some kind of relaxation

Paul Barnes, head teacher

"This is an exercise with physical and mental benefits for children, and it is the third school which has been visited so far."

Tai Chi, which is popular in China, is classified as a martial art.

It uses slow stretching movements to produce a sense of well being and relaxation.

Mr Barnes told BBC News Online: "This cannot really replace acts of collective worship which are about throwing out topical thoughts.

"But there is a lot of pressure to perform, and everybody does need some kind of relaxation at the start of the day, including the teachers.

"We could use videos next, we could even get the parents involved," he added.