PARENTS have been advised against buying amber teething jewellery for their youngsters from two Essex-based internet businesses.

Essex County Council’s trading standards team claims the bracelets, worn around ankles or as a necklace to calm babies and toddlers when they are teething, are a potential choking and strangulation hazard.

They have ordered two Essex firms to recall any jewellery already sold.

Roger Walters, councillor responsible for trading standards, said: "Parents can often be desperate to try remedies to ease their child's teething pain, especially if nothing else has worked.

“However, amber jewellery is not the answer as the suppliers have often not tested the products to check they are safe.

“We have given the businesses selling these products comprehensive advice to ensure they only supply safe products."

Essex County Council refused to reveal who was under investigation and claimed the two companies would contact each buyer directly.

Investigators claim the bracelets, which are threaded on a string, can be broken easily, leaving small parts accessible to young children and babies.

However, many parents said the bracelets were perfectly safe if the guidelines were followed.