WIRRAL Trading Standards Officers are warning the public of potentially unsafe Christmas tree lights which have been sold nationwide through the Poundland chain of shops.

Over 500 sets of lights have been sold by the Birkenhead Poundland store. They cost £1 and come in a red box labelled '20 Fairy Lights'.

Examination of the lights by Wolverhampton Trading Standards revealed that some of the lights have melted in use. Some sets have non-approved plugs fitted with 13 amp fuses and some cord grips for the mains lead fail to work correctly.

The box has a green decorative candle printed on the front, with a yellow and blue flame. The lights are labelled on the back 'CBA DK-1576 COPENHAGEN'. The mains lead is marked 'Hangzhou Yizhou Industry and Trade Co. H03VH7 - H'.

Poundland have withdrawn all unsold lights from their stores. Anyone who has purchased these lights should return them to the store for a full refund.

Said chair of Wirral Consumer Protection Committee, Coun Steve Foulkes: "We are concerned that these lights may be in use now. They should be switched off, unplugged and returned to the store. Anyone wishing to discuss the lights can call Trading Standards on 666-5288."

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