NINETY "dangerous" electric fans have been destroyed by Bolton's trading standards officers after a nationwide alert.

The pedestal fans, imported from China, were handed over to officials by a Bolton retailer after national reports revealed them to be a potential danger to the public.

The fans went up in flames at Bolton's Raikes Lane incinerator.

Trading Standards Officers throughout Britain were warned about the potential dangers of the fans - which have the brand name Polar - earlier this summer. The fans had been tested by officials in Suffolk and failed to comply with safety regulations due to inadequate insulation and the ease of which live electrical parts could be reached.

After a warning in the BEN one particular shop owner discovered he had 90 of the fans in his stock ready for sale to householders and office workers. The store boss handed the fans over to trading standards officers for destruction. Cllr Peter Finch, chairman of Bolton Council's Environment and Consumer Sub Committee, said: "Although these fans appear perfectly safe they are in fact very dangerous with live parts accessible.

"Had it not been for the constant vigilance of Trading Standards Officers these items could have been sold to members of the public who could have suffered serious injury."

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