A YORK couple say their daughter was injured when she became trapped in a children's bed guard - and they are demanding that the product be taken off the shelves.

Children's goods store Mothercare is investigating the complaint by Mike Reeson, 38, and Emma Richardson, 31, of Boltby Road, Clifton Moor.

But the store chain insists the own-brand guard the couple bought at its Clifton Moor branch conforms to European standards.

Mr Reeson and Ms Richardson bought the wooden slatted guard, which fits on the side of a bed to prevent children from rolling out, so their two-year-old daughter Aimee could sleep in a bed.

It was the cheapest at £15, and it was the Mothercare brand that they trusted.

But the couple say they were awoken one night by Aimee's screams after she fell out of bed and was left hanging from her left ankle, which had become trapped in the guard.

The distraught youngster suffered bruising, but was not seriously hurt.

The couple, who have four other children between them, have replaced the slatted guard with a more expensive padded mesh version and have had no further problems.

But they say that when they complained to Mothercare they were told that the guard conformed to all European safety standards.

They claim they were told the issue would only be looked into further if somebody else suffered a similar problem.

When the Evening Press approached the chain, a spokeswoman said she was unable to make a comment on the bed guard until a full investigation into the product had taken place.

Mr Reeson, who stays at home to look after his children, said: "The shop supervisor was very helpful and she was the only one to apologise for what happened. She asked us if Aimee was all right.

"I think it should be redesigned, why have wooden slats? Why not have it mesh like all the others? That way nothing can get trapped. Do they have to wait until someone is seriously hurt?"

Ms Richardson, a receptionist for the Inland Revenue, said she would never forget Aimee's screams.

She said: "How it happened I just don't know, but to walk in that room and see her like that is something I will never forget, it was just horrific."

Updated: 12:16 Friday, January 03, 2003