Bikinis that make 'sex objects' of little girls slammed by parents

Tiny briefs and bra-style tops are available at respected names such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Bhs and the leading supermarkets.

Many parents are deeply disturbed by the sale of such outfits, similar to those designed for adults.

It is seen as part of a wider problem of the sexualisation of young children.

A snapshot survey by the Daily Mail found John Lewis was selling a tiny £25 pink bikini with orange and brown flowers and frills for girls aged 4-5.

This was among a number of similar swimsuits with tiny triangles of fabric to represent an adult bikini.

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The costumes at Marks & Spencer include a blue bikini in an adult design with a very skimpy top and briefs.

The £9 swimsuit is apparently for girls as young as four. Asda's range includes a £5 pink bikini with a starting age range of 4-5, while Tesco costumes include a £3 'Beach babe' bikini in red and green for girls aged 5-6.

Mother-of-two Anna Heywood, from Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, was shocked to see what was on offer in the city centre when she went to buy a swimsuit for daughter, Lily, seven.

"I could not believe what I was seeing," she said. "These were bikinis with tiny triangles and straps which left nothing to the imagination. They were clearly copies of swimwear that is aimed at teenagers or older women.

"I started at John Lewis because I thought I could rely on them. First I looked at the O'Neill range and found nothing suitable. But even John Lewis's own range was as bad.

"They had skimpy tops for four and five-year -olds. I asked why this was the case. I was told that they 'needed to cater for everyone'.

"I am no prude and, indeed until recently my children used to run around on the beach with little or nothing on.

"What I object to is the overt sexualisation of very young children by people who should know better."

Mrs Heywood, 32, an environmental consultant, said she met similar problems at Monsoon and Bhs.

"All I wanted was a simple bikini with some kind of band around the chest. It was just to give Lily something fun to wear on holiday that was different to her school swimsuit."

The director of the charity Kidscape, Michelle Elliott, said: "We should let kids be kids. We don't need to give them miniature adult swimsuits.

"We should give them swimsuits they can run around in, not things with tiny little straps that get in the way.

"Personally, I would rather see them running around without anything on than something that would sexualise them."

Tesco said: "Our swimsuits - including the bikinis - are generally more generous in cover than those of our competitors, and come in the bright, fun colours that have been popular among kids for decades.

"We reject any suggestion that they are indecent or provocative."

John Lewis summed up the other stores' views with a statement saying: "We take the responsibility we have as a retailer to parents and children seriously and are very mindful that all garments must be appropriate for the age group they are intended for.

"Our swimwear assortment for girls responds to what our customers would like to buy and offers them choice through a variety of ranges."