Mother urges ban on laser pens after son's eyesight is damaged by toy

"I want to raise awareness of how dangerous these toys are,” said Mrs Marshall. “The problem is companies import cheap products which are never tested – and in this case [one of these products] has damaged my son’s eye. The laser beam was so strong that anyone of any age who crossed through its path could have suffered an injury.”

It is currently illegal to manufacture laser pointers in the UK but not to import them.

The Marshall’s MP Oliver Dowden is also helping to raise awareness of these dangerous lasers; a question was tabled in Parliament on 19 January putting pressure on the government to prevent laser pointers from being sold in the UK.

Mr Dowden said: "There appears to be a worrying loophole which allows these dangerous pens to be imported, when it’s illegal to manufacture them here. I’ve already taken this up with the Business Secretary and will be pursuing it in Parliament.”

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is investigating the case.

Hertfordshire County Council spokesman Andrew Dawson said: “We would urge people to be aware that there are different strengths of laser and not to aim laser beams at people’s heads and eyes, vehicles or aircraft.

“Only class 1 and class 2 lasers should be on sale to consumers and only class 1 or lower power lasers can be toys.”