Thousands of tree lights recalled over fears of fire hazard

TESCO has recalled thousands of Christmas tree lights because of fears they could cause a fire.

Four brands of lights on sale at the supermarket have been branded dangerous, and safety officers said they should be taken down and returned.

The UK's biggest supermarket chain says customers should stop using the lights immediately and return them to stores, where they will be given a full refund.

The warning follows a report earlier this month revealing that six out of ten Christmas lights had safety flaws, including poor labelling and risk of electrocution and overheating.

Roger Vincent, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, urged people to take the advice seriously. He said: "Any product recall is a serious business - retailers do not recall thousands of products just for the fun of it.

"People should be able to enjoy themselves and have a good time, but about 80,000 people are hospitalised every year during the 12 days of Christmas."

Four brands are affected, out of 43 different kinds which are on sale in the store. The recalled lights are Tesco's own-brand blinking red berry and frosted berry and two types of clear lights, in batches of 100 and 200. Tesco said the affected lights were on sale only in its larger superstores.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "We are taking the precautionary measure of recalling the products due to a manufacturing fault which may cause them to overheat."

Tesco said the hazardous lights can be identified by the multi-function control box which changes their flashing sequence.

The spokeswoman added: "Customers who have bought any of these lights should stop using them immediately. They are requested to return them to any Tesco store, where a full refund will be given. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

"Our customers are our main priority, and we would advise anyone who has bought these lights to immediately disconnect them and bring them back for a full refund.

"We apologise for this measure, but would assure our customers that this recall only applies to those four products listed and bought from September this year."

Earlier this month, trading standards officers in Lancashire discovered that six out of ten Christmas lights had safety flaws, including potential overheating and electrocutions, and unclear instructions.

Tesco's recall affects the company's 100 Indoor Multifunction Red Berry Lights (model number TS1004R/FW); 100 Indoor Multifunction Frosted Berry Lights (also model no: TS1004R/FW); 100 Indoor Multifunction Clear lights (model no: TS5611GC) and 200 Indoor Multifunction Clear lights (model no: TS5620GC).

The product name and model numbers are on a white label near the electric plug. People who need more information can call Tesco customer care on 0800 505555.