Parents are being asked to boycott high street stores who market sexy clothes to young children. Sandra James, a member of the Royal College of Nursing ruling council, says parents should take a stand against stores marketing items such as push-up bras to children. 'This is the creeping sexualisation of very young girls," she added. "It terrifies me.'

Ms James is particularly upset by fashion items such as high heel shoes and mini skirts for youngsters. What sort of message is this giving young girls? This whole drift is towards sexualising girls at a younger and younger age.'

The British Retail Consortium, denied that this was a problem for the fashion industry to deal with. 'Retailers simply supply where there is a demand,' said a spokesperson. 'They are not the fashion police and cannot be blamed for such a serious social problem. Parents are responsible for what their children buy and wear.'

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