THE humble rocking horse was once under threat by European mandarins. But today it has been saved - much to the delight of local toy shop owners and politicians.

It was feared European safety standards which said toys could not be more than 60cm high would jeopardise the sale of rocking horses.

However, the British Standards Institution confirmed that a mistake had been made in interpreting EU rules. The news has cheered toy sellers including Steve Smith, who owns Traditional Toys, at the Last Drop Village.

He had branded the potential move as ridiculous and said it was "just plain meddling taken to its extreme" when it came to light last year.

He said: "It's great news. I've been telling people I was going to have to shoot my rocking horses. Now they've been reprieved."

Bolton Euro MP Chris Davies has been assured that 60cm height restrictions that could have banned Victorian-style rocking horses will not apply. The guidelines in fact, do not refer to rocking horses at all - but to the rocking ducks mounted on springs.