PICTURED: ZOE Crosby and the magnetic earrings.

COUNCIL watchdogs are warning fashion-conscious kids not to use magnetic earrings in their noses after one girl ended up in hospital.

Chief Trading Standards Officer Ken Wardale is concerned that children without pierced ears are using magnetic earrings in their noses, a current fashion statement with some youngsters, despite warnings on the packaging not to do this. The dangers of doing this were brought into sharp focus when 12-year-old Zoe Crosby of Windle, ended up in hospital after the magnets got stuck up her nose and not her earlobes. The small magnets which hold the decorative stud in place travelled up her nose when she inhaled.

Staff at St Helens Hospital minor injuries unit spotted the potential harm the earrings could cause and gave Zoe's parents a Trading Standards leaflet which advises people to contact the council when such incidents occur.

The magnets were removed following treatment in hospital but the girl and her parents are anxious to warn other children not to use these magnetic earrings in noses and avoid a possible tragedy.

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