Staffordshire County Council has seized over 100 squidgy toys thought to be a potential danger to children.

The toys, which are often designed to look like doughnuts, dumplings and other desserts, are causing concerns after some products failed to meet UK safety standards.

Although some of the items are perfectly safe, others have been seized by officers in Staffordshire because of their potential risk to children.

A number of non-compliant products were discovered in the Stafford area by Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council.

The officers seized the products and removed them from sale.

Staffordshire County Council said: "The products can pose potential safety risks, particularly to children.

"Concerns include skin irritation, allergic reactions, nausea and headaches linked to harmful substances.

"The toys can also be a choking hazard where products split or leak, as well as causing burns or injuries where toys are heated contrary to safety instructions."

Trading Standards is working with retailers, importers and suppliers to make them aware of their legal responsibility to ensure products placed on the UK market comply with relevant safety legislation.

Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Squishy toys remain hugely popular with children and young people, but the safety of these products is essential.

"We would always encourage parents and carers to purchase toys only from reputable retailers, check for appropriate UKCA or CE markings, and be cautious of unusually cheap products.

"Buying from legitimate businesses not only helps protect children from potentially unsafe products, but it also helps ensure that money is not being channelled into illegal trading networks.

"The sale of counterfeit and non-compliant goods can be linked to wider criminal activity, undermining honest local businesses and putting consumers at risk."

Parents can find more advice about squidgy toy safety by clicking here.

Do you have concerns about an unsafe product?

Report it here or call 01785 330356.