WHEN schoolgirl Lucy Edge bought a 'Surprise Bag' from a girls' accessories shop she expected ribbons and bangles.

But the seven-year-old and her mum got a real surprise when she opened the bag - and found a tiny penknife with a sharp pull-out blade and 'Diva' painted in purple on the side.

Lucy, of Primrose Street, Astley Bridge, bought the £2 bag promising 'a fab range of goodies and surprises' from Claire's Accessories at the Lowry Designer Outlet in Salford.

Her mother Liz Edwards, said: "Lucy didn't open the bag until we got home. She showed the knife to me and said: 'I don't want this.'

"I was shocked when I saw the blade, you get things like that in crackers but they have warnings saying they're not suitable for children.

"Claire's Accessories is aimed at young girls. If Lucy hadn't been sensible she could have popped the knife in her bag and taken it to school."

The penknife also contains a nail file and a pair of scissors. Other items in the bag included a pink belt, hair accessories, and a leaflet about earrings.

Claire's has a store in Compton Place in Bolton where the bags are sold. Karen Brookes, spokeswoman for Claire's Accessories, said the knife should not have been there and they would hold an investigation.

"The penknives were something we looked at in head office but turned down. They were never intended to go in goodie bags.

"This is obviously one that has fallen into the bag accidentally and we apologise profusely. We guarantee that it is not in any other bags but we will be looking into how it got there.

"We would never put knives in bags for children. It was a complete surprise to hear about this."

Mhari Kelly, spokeswoman for Salford City Council trading standards, said it was illegal to sell knives to under 16s.

"In this case it seems the mother purchased the product rather than the child. However, we are against such goods being sold in this way.

"We would encourage parents to report incidents of this nature and we will be looking into this matter."