What's Punch and Judy? How the traditional seaside show is in danger of disappearing

Research has found that more than a third of children have never watched the puppet show that has been part of a trip to the seaside for nearly 350 years.

This is in contrast with 78 per cent of parents who used to watch it at least once a year when they were young.

Punch and Judy has been at the seaside for nearly 350 years, but has fallen out of favour as families steer clear of traditional British 'bucket and spade' holidays

Donkey rides and sand castle competitions have also fallen out of favour as fewer families take 'bucket and spade' holidays in Britain, the poll found.

The survey of 1,012 parents by carmaker Chevrolet revealed that 37 per cent of today's children have not seen the show which was first performed in 1662 at Covent Garden in London, where it was witnessed by diarist Samuel Pepys.

In an attempt to bring back memories for parents - and create new ones for children - Chevrolet is trying to save the Punch and Judy show with the first travelling in-car theatre.

A custom-made booth slots on to the side of a Chevrolet Captiva LTX which enables Punch and Judy entertainers - known as Professors - to perform from the back seat of the vehicle.

The free roadshow will tour resorts this summer including Newquay in Cornwall this weekend and Lowestoft in Suffolk a week later.