A NORTH-EAST father is asking children's face painters in the region to warn parents of the possible side effects after his daughter suffered a massive allergic reaction.

Dave Farthing, of Teesville, near Middlesbrough, took his six-year-old daughter Rebecca to Kirkleatham Rally on Saturday and allowed her to have her face painted. He said it was something Rebecca had had done many times before and the paint was washed off later that afternoon.

He was horrified when Rebecca woke up the next morning with her face swollen and red. Her eyes were so puffy she could hardly open them.

When Rebecca saw herself in a bathroom mirror she was frightened and started to cry.

Mr Farthing said Rebecca was not in any pain but needed pain killers, because she was too hot.

He said she had never had an allergic reaction before.

He said: "I don't feel angry, but it would be nice if there was some way people could know this is a possibility."

Kay Brown, who had decorated Rebecca's face at the rally, was horrified when The Northern Echo told her what had happened.

She said it was the first time she had heard of anyone reacting to the professional paints she used.

She said: "I am quite surprised to hear of it and it has quite shocked me. I will put a notice up saying someone has had a reaction.

"I am extremely sorry - the last thing I would want to do is harm a child."