YOUNG Sarah White's deformed fingers are proof that the 60's horror drug thalidomide is affecting a new generation, say her parents.

Martine and Michael White of Palatine Square, Burnley, both have arm deformities, characteristic of the side effects of the drug their mothers took while pregnant.

Now they are calling for the Government to carry out new research into how the drug affects second generations.

When Martine, 34, gave birth to her first child Carl she was reassured she had a healthy baby boy. His brothers, Luke and Peter, showed no abnormalities. But, four years ago, a deformity was noticed in seven-year-old Sarah's little fingers. The bone had fused causing the finger to curl inwards.

Martine said doctors have never been able to tell her what caused the abnormality, but she is convinced it is a side effect of the thalidomide her own mother had taken.

Now she fears for the future of all her children after Australian research claimed DNA damaged by thalidomide can lead to a 40 per cent increased risk of testicular cancer.

The research, just published by Dr William McBride, took four years to complete using rats and rabbits in experiments.

The Thalidomide Action Group, based in Liverpool, knows of 10 parents in Britain who had thalidomide and went on to have children with abnormalities.

Martine said: "I think it is about time the British government put money into research to find out exactly what can happen to next generations."

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