National retailer fined for dangerous shirt

Dangerous children's clothing has been withdrawn by a national retailer after Anglesey Trading Standards officers found they posed a choking risk.

At Holyhead Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 25th 2009, Peacocks Stores Ltd pleaded guilty to supplying a child's check shirt which failed safety tests.

Prosecuted under General Product Safety Regulations, the national retailer was fined £1,125 and ordered to pay a total of £10,460.09 costs.

Trading Standards Senior Enforcement Officer, Glynwyn Owen, explained, "The child's check shirt was bought at the Anglesey store as part of our ongoing sampling process. Tests carried out revealed that the shirt's buttons came off far too easily when forced. It was clearly dangerous and posed a real choking hazard to young children."

These shirts were meant to be worn by children under three-years-old who are especially prone to this sort of choking hazard.

Environment portfolio holder, Councillor Bob Parry OBE, who has responsibility for Trading Standards matters, stressed, "We hope this prosecution sends out a message to manufacturers and importers that they must ensure their products are safe and comply with legislation."

"Thankfully, these products are no longer on sale to the public, however, the failure of these clothes to meet safety requirements caused grave concern, especially as young children have a tendency to put things in their mouths."

The Isle of Anglesey County Council's Trading Standards routinely tests consumer products to make sure they conform to safety standards. Over the past 12 months the sampling has ranged from soft toys to electrical goods and BBQ sets.