POTENTIALLY deadly sweets imported from Asia, which can cause children to choke, have been found in East Lancashire, say trading standards officers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council trading standards staff believe the sweets, containing a type of jelly which does not dissolve, and can get stuck in the throat, are being sold from a van in the Blackburn area.

In February this year the death of an 18-month-old boy from Bolton prompted a national warning by the Food Standards Agency.

The agency warned parents to be on their guard against the sweets, which are thought to be linked to 15 deaths around the globe. The child's death is still the subject of an inquest but the coroner has said that a link to the sweets cannot be ruled out. Chris Allen, chief standards officer said: "We have come across these sweets around the borough, so we know they are being sold to shops here. They have been found by ourselves and by other individuals."

Coun Maureen Bateson said: "There have been a number of deaths around the world from children choking on these sweets due to their size, shape, consistency and solubility. The trading standards department strongly recommends anyone who has recently purchased these sweets not to eat them and to inform them as soon as possible."

The sweets are about the size of a coffee creamer, dome-shaped and have a diameter of about 30mm tapering to 20mm at the top, with a rounded edge and are sealed with a foil lid.

"Some varieties of the sweets contain a fruit flavoured hard gum.

Children tend to suck and effectively 'inhale' the sweet.

The sweets are sold in various package sizes including in bags and plastic jars or individually and some may be over-labelled with precautionary advice.

The trading standards department has urged anyone who knows anything about the local sales to contact staff on 01254 585585.