PARENTS of young children are being warned about safety fears raised over novelty bobble hats.

Wiltshire Council has issued a warning over the colourful, furry hats, which are made in China and styled to look like Minions from the film Despicable Me, as well as Angry Birds and other animal characters.

There is an extension hanging down each side of the hat with a pom-pom on the end and the hat is intended to be secured underneath the chin by passing one hanging extension through a loop in the other.

However, this design means that there is no means for the extensions to disconnect and there is the potential for strangulation.

Trading standards officers have notified market operators throughout Wiltshire and visits have been made to ensure that any of these items are removed from sale.

Forty hats, priced between £5 and £10, have been seized from market stalls in Salisbury and Trowbridge.

The council is urging members of the public who may have purchased these items to report this to trading standards on 0845 4040506 as soon as possible.