Trading standards officers fear children's clothes on sale in West Sussex could prove lethal.

West Sussex Trading Standards officers tested 13 items and discovered ten of them, 77 per cent, failed British safety standards.

Some garments failed on more than one aspect, including cords which were too long and strawberry-shaped buttons which could be pulled off.

Accident reports from 18 hospitals across the country showed about 80,000 children needed treatment in 1999, many injured by buttons being swallowed or placed in noses or ears.

Some children have died after hood or waist cords were trapped in bus doors, which dragged them along.

Patrick Bligh-Cheesman, head of trading standards, said: "The hazards included buttons being pulled off and two garments with hood cords presenting a strangulation or entrapment hazard.

"The clothing with hood cords has been withdrawn while our investigations continue."