**Clothing chain Primark has withdrawn the sale of its range of padded bikini tops for girls as young as seven following criticism.**The company apologised to customers for “causing offence” and said it would donate profits from the product to a children’s charity.
The Children’s Society criticised Primark for “premature sexualisation and unprincipled advertising”.
Conservative leader David Cameron had said it was “completely disgraceful”.
The £4 bikini sets came in candy pink with stars and black with polka dots.
Penny Nicholls, director of children and young people at The Children’s Society, said: "We know from our research that commercial pressures towards premature sexualisation and unprincipled advertising are damaging children’s well-being.
‘Paedophile pound’
''The evidence shows that adults feel children are more materialistic than in past generations, while children themselves feel under pressure to keep up with the latest trends.
"We need a significant change at the heart of society where adults stand up for better values.‘’
Mr Cameron told BBC Radio London companies should “take some responsibility and stop this sort of thing”.
And child protection consultant Shy Keenan, of The Phoenix Chief Advocates which helps victims of paedophiles, said: “It never fails to amaze me just how many High Street household names are now prepared to exploit the disgusting ‘paedophile pound’.”
Primark, which is well-known for its heavily discounted brands, has 138 UK stores and 38 in Ireland.
A spokesman said it has “taken note” of concerns about the product which is said it sold in “relatively small” quantities.
"The company has stopped the sale of this product line with immediate effect, the spokesman said.
"Primark will donate all the profits made from this product line to a children’s charity, and apologises to customers for any offence caused."This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.