The UK government is always encouraging schools to develop pupils with skills in business and enterprise. But when seven children in suburban Philadelphia came up with a business strategy of their very own: to earn some extra pocket money by selling lemonade door-to-door, the local authorities weren’t so impressed.

They reprimanded the children for breaking the law because they were selling without a permit.

The officer had been alerted to the children’s business venture when a neighbour had called the local police station about the sales. He had been worried that by buying the lemonade, he might be aiding and abetting lawbreakers.

After the incident, the police officer was reminded that this was a misunderstanding - the law did not apply to children under 16.

The young entrepreneurs were told they had done nothing wrong but are unlikely to gain any class credits for their efforts.