THOUSANDS of parents are putting their children's lives in danger by using badly fitting car seats.

At a road and car safety exhibition in Darlington town centre last week, 92 per cent of child seats checked were found to be dangerous.

PC Dave Nixon, road casualty reduction officer, believes action is now needed to prevent youngsters being killed in accidents.

PC Nixon said: "We saw everything from a little bit of damage to the wrong kind of seats for the model of car."

Part of the problem is where people get their car seats from, if they are the right seats, and how they are fitted.

PC Nixon said: "We urge people to go to a reputable dealer who has a member of staff experienced in fitting car seats.

"Seats bought from car boot sales or hand-me-downs may not be in the best condition, or may not come with instructions.

"I know these car seats can be expensive, but what price would you put on a child's life?"

PC Nixon also warned that any car that had been in an accident should have a new car seat fitted.

He said: "If a car has been in a collision, the seat needs replacing because it has done its job.

"Any child who is unrestrained will be seriously hurt, or worse, if there is an accident, and is also likely to injure anyone in the front of the car.

"If a car is travelling at 30mph and there is a crash, an unrestrained baby would hit someone in the front with the force of a brick.

"If it was a four or five-year- old with some weight behind them, it could be even worse."

The tests in Darlington's Market Place were carried out by the police in conjunction with Britax, the main manufacturers of child safety restraints.

The police are now considering setting up further tests to look at seats belonging to more parents in the Darlington area.

PC Dixon said: "There is nothing worse than an accident or fatality involving a child, and we want to avoid them at all costs."