Lancashire County Council have issued a warning in regards to facemasks after Public Health England received information that face coverings for babies were being sold at retailers across the country.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health and wellbeing for Lancashire County Council, said the issue had not been reported in Lancashire, but wanted to re-iterate the warning so as to prevent any fatal accidents from happening.

He said: "There have been some reports nationally of face coverings for babies being sold.

"We have not received any reports of this issue in Lancashire.

"We're reiterating Public Health England's warning that face coverings should never be worn by children under three years old as they could be potentially dangerous and could cause choking or suffocation."

A statement from Public Health England issued earlier on Friday said: "We've been made aware that face coverings for babies and very young children are available for sale in England.

"Children under the age of three should NOT wear face coverings, as they could cause choking or suffocation."

Official government guidance on the wearing of face coverings can be found on the government's website.

The guidance states: "You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to, this includes young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons).

Professor Viv Bennet, Chief Nurse for Public Health England said: "If you or your child is unwell with the symptoms of Covid-19, then you should get a test and stay at home until you get the result.

"If you are worried then you should call 111 or speak to your doctor."