PARENTS are being warned to check their children's Christmas stockings for a range of potentially lethal sweets which could choke them to death.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) last week ordered the withdrawal of the deadly delights, packaged under a number of different names including 'ABC Mini Fruit Bakes', 'New Choice Mini Fruit Gells' and 'Rolin Mango Jelly Cup'.

Environmental health officers in South Ribble and Preston were this week visiting shops in the area to ensure there are none on the shelves.

The unsafe sweets were imported from Asia and have been linked to the deaths of a number of children from choking around the world, so far no cases have been reported in the United Kingdom.

The FSA issued a warning about the product in August when concerns were expressed in the United States, Canada, Australia and France.

But it was still widely available at wholesalers, including Batley's Cash and Carry, Walton Summit Road, Bamber Bridge, until October.

Now they are making sure the product is completely withdrawn after an investigation found that part of the sweet does not dissolve easily and could get stuck in the throat. It is a soft, slippery jelly with a hard fruit flavoured gum in the middle which contains an ingredient called 'konjac'. Children tend to suck out and effectively 'inhale' this from a small dome shaped cup package.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said: "We have no way of knowing how many of these sweets are in circulation.

"The products come in a variety of different packages and they are sold individually, often in corner shops. We are concerned they could make there way into children's Christmas stockings -- which is why this warning has been issued now."

Councillor Andy Campbell, Preston Borough Council's cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: "Protecting public safety is a top priority. These sweets have been identified as a hazard so we've acted quickly to make sure people are aware of the danger and shops do not sell them.

"Anybody who has these sweets at home should dispose of them or contact the Environmental Health Department for advice."