A mum has issued an urgent warning to parents after a pair of bargain jelly shoes sliced her toddler's feet.
Ashley Chubb bought the beach shoes for 23-month-old Harrison ahead of the warm weather.
But the mum-of-three from Royston, Greater Manchester, was horrified when, days later, she noticed Harrison's tiny feet covered in "a big patch of blood" after the youngster complained of the pain they were causing him.
Initially fearing Harrison had hurt himself, Ashley then noticed what she described as a "sharp edge" of the shoe which had been digging into his feet, causing terrible pain.
"Three days after I bought the shoes we were playing in the garden – he was sitting on the garden chair and I noticed blood, which scared me," said Ashley, who is also mum to Alfie, 10, and three-month-old Hugo.
"Then I realised it was his shoes but I was shocked as I thought they were a nice, soft, flexible material.
"A while before I saw the blood, he was saying that they hurt whilst wearing them, but I thought it was just because he wasn't used to them, as I couldn't see anything.
"He didn't cry or complain when I noticed and as bad as it looked covered in blood, the shoes literally cut the skin open.
"After it happened I had a good look at the shoes and noticed that they actually have some sharp edges which had me shocked, seeing as the actual 'jelly' material of the shoes is so flexible."
Ashley and her partner, Shane Rideout, 32, were left shocked.
She said: "I came across them and thought they were a flexible, comfy-looking material, and I loved the turtle as Harrison loves sea animals.
"I bought him a size six, he wasn't with me in the shop to try them on, but he's between sizes five to six, so I thought this would fit him fine," she told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
"When he put them on at home, he had plenty of toe space.”
Infuriated, the parents believe the issue is down to the shoes allegedly being faulty.
They tagged Home Bargains in a Facebook post, as well as shared their story with other parents as a warning.
On the post, Ashley wrote: "These jelly shoes are from home bargains & have cut into Harrison’s foot!
"Thought they’d be comfortable as they’re a soft/silicone like material but obviously not!!
"Will be taking them back & complaining!"
Now the parents are discouraging others from buying similar shoes from the variety store.
Ashley added: "100% home bargains are responsible for what happened [sic].
“The shoes can’t have been quality checked properly before leaving the warehouse.
"I realise that the price was maybe too good to be true, cheap and cheerful is not always the way!
"Finding supportive and comfortable shoes is so important for children, so always take a good look and try them on before you buy."
Nobody from Home Bargains was available for comment when approached by the Mirror.
