An importer is due to appear in court next week accused of supplying flammable Halloween masks to a Swindon shop.

Northern Ireland-based Palmer Agencies Ltd has been summonsed to appear before Swindon magistrates at noon on Thursday, December 6.

The firm faces four charges of supplying the dangerous masks to Giggles, in Faringdon Road, which bought them in good faith.

The Fun World Fearsome Faces masks, imported from America, were described as non-flammable, but failed British Standards flammability tests, say Swindon trading standards' staff.

The alleged offences took place in Faringdon Road on October 18 and 27 and twice on October 31, and are contrary to regulations 13 and 15 of the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 and sections 1(1)(b) and 23 of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.