Part of a news report on Yahoo.
* Soldiers learning the bagpipes have been banned from playing for more than 24 minutes a day to protect their ears.
* A Cardiff pensioner was stopped from getting on a bus because he was carrying a tin of paint, breaking health and safety rules. The bus company later apologised and said it would be more flexible.
* There are 279 different tax forms for businesses, asking more than 6,000 questions.
* Landlords in Kent were ordered to pull down bundles of hops traditionally used to decorate their pubs. Fire inspectors said they were a hazard and should be treated with chemicals or replaced with plastic hops.
* A study by police in Tayside, eastern Scotland, found more than 1,000 different forms available to officers. Of these, only 112 were regularly used and, on closer inspection, 30 were needed.
* New rules on child car seats are laid out over 18 pages, while bus lane regulations stretch to 27 pages.
* Bristol City Council spent 5,000 pounds on 100 yew trees, only to dig them up after a "risk assessment" ruled they could harm children at a nearby playground if they ate the leaves.
* Norwich City Council ordered 20 roadside horse chestnut trees to be felled because falling conkers could damage cars, make the pavement slippery and lead to children being run over as they collected conkers. It later reportedly reversed the decision after facing worldwide ridicule.
