To coincide with the opening of a brand new consumer advice centre Christmas shoppers are today being urged by Coventry City Council Trading Standards Officers to play it safe when buying childrens toys.

Every year hundreds of children are hurt playing with toys which are not suitable or safe. Consumer Safety Officers Pete Randall advised parents to:

"Always look for the CE mark and read and take note of any warnings, advice or instructions that may appear on the label. Only buy toys from reputable traders who deal fairly with any problems that may arise. Take the manufacturers advice. If they say that a toy is not suitable for a child under a certain age, then that is exactly what they mean. Toys that have sharp edges or small parts that can choke have all caused injuries or distress. By being alert to the potential dangers parents can help to ensure that Christmas is a happy time for everyone – child and parent alike."