A FIRM which imported dangerous dolls from China has been fined by magistrates.

It is the third time 7 Star UK, of Lockett Street, Strangeways, has been prosecuted for selling sub-standard toys - the second time in two months.

In the latest case, the blonde dolls, labelled Beautiful Baby, had earrings made from tiny LED lights which could be pulled out, revealing a sharp spike. A toy book attached to the doll could also be pulled away, exposing a sharp screw.

The firm has already been fined for selling dangerous toy helicopters and mini-motorbikes which failed to meet safety standards.

Following tests on the dolls, director Taranjit Singh Nangpal admitted supplying toys that did not meet safety requirements and was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £450 at Manchester magistrates.

Trading standards called at the shop on March 4 and bought some dolls. When they were sent to a specialist in Trafford Park, it was found the toys could harm a child.

The toys, in a box printed with garbled English, were imported from China by the firm, which was also the wholesaler.

When Trading Standards returned to say they had failed safety tests, they had already been taken off the shelves.

Last month, the company was fined £1,200 for supplying toys not meeting safety requirements, plus another £800 for supplying toys not bearing the name and address of the importer.

It was also ordered to pay costs of £756 - a total of £2,756.

The charges related to toy helicopters with no protective rings around the edge of their rotor blades, which meant they could injure a child.

In July 2007, the firm was convicted of selling three mini-motorbikes which did not meet safety regulations, and was fined £1,200 plus £500 costs.

Coun Richard Cowell said: "I'd like to praise our trading standards officers for their vigilance in removing dangerous toys from sale in the city. The council is determined to protect the children of Manchester."