DOZENS of pairs of trendy-looking sunglasses have been seized by Swindon Council due to safety concerns.

Officers from the council’s Trading Standards team and an inSwindon warden were alerted to the glasses, which were being sold by a street trader, during a routine inspection by a member of staff.

The sunglasses were not CE marked and might not protect the wearer’s eyes from UV radiation, which has has been linked to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration –the leading cause of blindness in the UK.

Coun Richard Hurley, Swindon Council’s Cabinet member for Public Protection and StreetSmart, said: “Research from the College Of Optometrists has shown that almost 80 per cent of under-25s put fashion and price before safety standards when choosing sunglasses.

“We’re urging all consumers to be aware and make sure they only buy CE marked sunglasses from reputable traders who they can return to for a refund if a problem occurs.

“It’s even more important to protect children’s eyes as they are still developing.

“Research has shown that 76 per cent of parents admit to not making sure their child wears sunglasses when out and about in the sun.

“It was therefore vital that we acted so quickly to remove these unsafe sunglasses from sale.”

The seller of the sunglasses, who claimed to have bought the items from two London-based wholesalers for between £1 and £1.20 each, was selling them for £5.

He is assisting Trading Standards officers with their enquiries.

For information on the importance of UV protection visit www.lookafteryoureyes.org.