A new travel guide says England is full of "overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity obsessed television addicts."

According to the Rough Guide to England, talking to strangers in London "can be seen as tantamount to physical assault."

However, the tourist body Enjoy England, says the book is simply, "unhelpful."

The Rough Guide says England is a place "where individuality and creativity flourish, fueling a thriving pop culture and producing one of the most dynamic fashion, music and arts scenes to be found anywhere," however, try to avoid its "over-priced, under-funded public transport services."

The Guide claims many towns now simply "consist of identikit retail zones," yet does admire many Englishmen as "animal loving, tea-drinking charity donors who thrive on irony and Radio 4."

Yet, Enjoy England's Elliott Frisby says the book and its suggestions are both "unhelpful and inaccurate."

Frisby adds, "Visitors who come here frequently comment on how, rather than stand-offish, the English are extremely helpful and welcoming."