Fury over alcohol in sweets

Libby Daniels, nine, and her five-year-old sister Phedra helped themselves to the confectionery at Hotel Chocolat in Telford Shopping Centre.

The children were disgusted by the taste - and mum Marina was disgusted when she discovered the sweets were chocolate-covered rum-soaked raisins.

Mrs Daniels, from Priorslee, Telford, complained to trading standards, which said Hotel Chocolat had done nothing wrong, although the store is now looking at the issue.

Mrs Daniels was in a shop next door on Saturday afternoon when her daughters ran in after sampling the sweets. She said they were gagging, felt sick and had to spit out the remains.

"They had never tasted alcohol before - they were really upset," said Mrs Daniels.

She said the children should not have been allowed to take the sweets.

Since the complaint, trading standards officers from Telford & Wrekin Council have visited the shop and discussed what happened.

Mrs Daniels has been told what happened is not illegal because the sweets are not considered liquor chocolates, which you have to be 16 to buy, and because they were given, rather than bought.

Anna Dufty, for the store, said staff had apologised to Mrs Daniels and pointed out its alcohol procedures are well controlled.

Store managers are trained to get the same licence qualification as pub landlords and staff are trained every three months.

She said the firm's technical manager was looking at the issue of the alcohol in the chocolates.

By Dave West