Jeremy Hunt has hit out angrily at Facebook for "targeting younger children" by releasing an app for children as young as six.

The Health Secretary told the social network to “stay away from my kids,” saying it has renegaged on promises to prevent underage use of their product.

The “Messenger Kids” app allows children aged six to 12 to send pictures and texts and video chat, in the same way as can be done on Facebook's main messaging platform.

The website itself is supposed to be restricted to those over the age of 13, though it has been criticised for the fact younger children have found it easy to gain access.

Facebook said the new app had strict controls on its use, requireing parents to set up an account for their child, with all contacts added and approved by parents from their main Facebook account.