A coroner has called for a ban on blinds with looped cords after two toddlers strangled themselves within five days of each other.

Andrew Haigh oversaw inquests into the deaths of Harrison Joyce, aged three, and Lillian Bagnall-Lambe, 16 months, both from Staffordshire, who died after becoming entangled in the cords.

He told Sky News that the Government must look again at existing safety regulations.

Mr Haigh said: "If they are not effective, then there should be a complete ban so far as cord blinds are concerned. There should be a realistic prospect, I would have thought, that there's no need actually for looped cord blinds."

Harrison's parents have started a campaign for a law in their son's name which would see cords on blinds and curtains banned.

His father Scott Joyce told the broadcaster: "It was banned in the USA 10 years ago, which is a tragedy for us, as well as all the other parents that have lost their children over the years.

"I believe Australia have banned it, I believe it's banned in Canada and still in the UK these systems are being sold."

Lillian, from Dartmouth Street, Stafford, died on February 9 and Harrison, from Lichfield, five days before.

On Thursday South Staffordshire coroner Mr Haigh recorded a verdict of accidental death for both the children.

Just after they died in February, he spoke out to warn all parents with young children to beware of the potential danger of blind cords.