'Dangerous' laser toys seized from carnival traders Published duration 14 November 2012

image caption Council officials took "prompt action" to remove the toys from sale

Potentially dangerous toys containing lasers have been seized by trading standards officials in North Somerset.

Sixty-nine toy swords containing the lasers were confiscated from six traders operating at the Weston-super-Mare carnival.

A North Somerset Council spokesman said the "Flashing Sticks" had a beam which could be seen on buildings 100m away.

The swords "look like harmless fun but can actually cause serious and permanent damage to the eye", he said.

"Many other vendors at the carnival were aware of the problem with laser toys and did not stock them.

"In other cases officers took prompt action to remove them from sale."

Anyone who bought one is asked to contact trading standards for advice on how to safely dispose of them.