A MOTHER whose baby daughter was injured by a popular toy is warning other parents to be careful.

Samantha Dixon claims her six-month-old baby Piper almost lost an eye after being hit with part of a Beyblades-style spinning top which her eight-year-old brother Aaron was playing with.

"Aaron was playing with the toy and Piper was rolling about on the floor," she said. "I was in the kitchen when all of a sudden I heard my son shouting 'I've killed Piper'.

"I rushed in and there was blood everywhere. As he had spun the Beystadium, a piece had flown out and hit Piper. She was screaming her head off."

Mrs Dixon, 31, from Darlington, rushed Piper to the Memorial Hospital where she was told her daughter could have lost her eye.

The gash is now healing but Mrs Dixon has reported the incident to trading standards and is urging other parents to boycott the toy.

"I believe they are dangerous and I think people should know what happened to us," she said.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Trading Standards said the matter was being investigated but no other complaints had been received.

A spokesman for Beyblades manufacturer Haribo said the toys carried a clear warning for safe use.

"We have not been contacted about the incident described," he said.

"Where we are contacted about accidents, we find out whether the product is real Hasbro, or a 'knock-off', of which there are, sadly, many.

"Real Beyblades are made to rigorous safety standards, and are clearly labelled as being for children of eight and over."