A toy which is potentially dangerous to children has been removed from the shelves of Braintree and Witham stores after it was banned by the Government
The Yo-Balls are the first toys to be banned for more than a decade after tests showed that the toy could pose a risk of strangulation.
It is estimated that five million Yo-Balls have been imported to Britain.
No-ball: The banned toy
The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned urgent risk tests on the toys after eight reported incidents in the last month nationally and concluded that they do not meet the safety requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995.
The toys are highly elastic and can be stretched to great lengths.
But stores in Braintree and Witham said that the toys, which are made of a jelly-like material, were a hit with children.
Joe Prager assistant manager of Sam Convenience Store in Laurence Avenue, Witham, revealed in three weeks they had sold more than 100 insect versions of the Yo-Ball at £1.49.
He said: "As soon as we heard the news they were removed from the shelves. They were extremely popular."
The Government advised parents to be aware of the potential harm the toys could pose and advised them to dispose of the toys safely.
Trading standards officers will enforce the ban with traders and can require them to remove the toys from sale, or face prosecution.
Published Friday, April 25, 2003
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