City of York Council trading standards officers have issued a warning about the potential fire risk created by Christmas candle decorations.

Safety tests have been carried out on eight different types of decoration, each designed to be used with a candle in the centre. All but one of the items ignited when the candle flame came near the decoration and over half were completely disintegrated. One decoration burned with flames 50 centimetres high. Only three of the items tested bore warnings to extinguish the candle before it came too close to the decoration, and even in these cases, the warnings were often unclear or obscured by packaging.

All the unsafe items, which were tested and which bore inadequate or no warnings, have been taken off sale . The importers of the hazardous items are being contacted and steps are being taken to withdraw the decorations from sale.

Colin Rumford, City of York Council's acting head of environmental health and trading standards said: "Many consumers will have bought this type of product with the intention of using them with a lighted candle. It is also likely that there will still be similar products on sale in the shops in the run up to Christmas.

"Consumers should heed all warnings on these products, and should be extra vigilant to ensure that a lighted candle does not burn down and come into contact with the decoration. Burning candles should never be left unattended. The best advice is to use these items as decorations only and not with a lighted candle."

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's acting executive member for the environment, added : "These seemingly harmless decorations present a real fire hazard and we are working to have the warnings on these types of products made much clearer. It is a timely reminder to enjoy the festive season without compromising safety in our homes and I would ask anyone who thinks they may have one of these potentially dangerous decorations not to light the candles." ENDS