Outrage at Hurley's leopard-print bikinis for children

But posing against a makeshift beach scene and beside three young children, the model's new range - bikinis and swimsuits designed for girls aged 2-10 - has sparked outrage amongst concerned MPs and children's charitable organisations.

With the collection purposely mirroring garments in her women's collection, there are fears that the leopard-print designs are unsuitable for pre-pubescent children.

Last night, Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe hit out at Miss Hurley's latest project, for what she termed, the 'sexualisation' of children. She said: 'Oh dear, dear me. This is dreadful.

'It represents the sexualisation of children which is very dangerous indeed as well as being very undesirable.

'There is nothing wrong with leopard skin prints if they are for adults - but certainly not for children.'

Elaine Peace, children's services director at the charity NCH, also criticised Miss Hurley's choice of print, saying: 'Leopard print is perhaps inappropriate because it is seen as an adult connotation especially in terms of it being seen as sexy wear.

'But animal prints are very trendy at the moment and children have been wearing bikinis on beaches for a long time - so it's important that we don't take the fun out of childhood by being too over the top about what they're wearing.

'When you're talking of young children of this age, it is only a distorted mind that would sexualise young children.'

Such criticism comes three years after high street store, BHS, was condemned for launching its provocative 'Little Miss Naughty' range of push-up bras and bikini bottoms.

The outcry caused the shop to withdraw the controversial range.

Wearing her trademark white jeans and a leopard print strappy top, Miss Hurley arrived at Harrods with her four-year-old son, Damian, and fiance Arun Nayer, for yesterday's launch.

With a section of the famous London department store sectioned off for the promotion, an array of ice creams, cocktail sausages and mini sandwiches were handed out at the special, beach-themed children's party.

Posing beside a bikini-clad adult model, Miss Hurley was joined by three youngsters, all attired in matching leopard print.

While three-year-old Pebble Adams was safely wrapped up in an animal print kaftan, eight-year-old Blake Forest was a little more exposed in a two-piece bikini.

Next to her, Hanaya Merlet, six, clutched a chocolate sundae as she modelled another leopard print, all-in-one swimsuit.

Miss Hurley, however, let her young models do the talking - and would not be drawn into donning a bikini and baring her legs.

Prices for Miss Hurley's new collection range from £25 to £57.