A mother has said the sale of bikinis to children is ‘stripping their innocence’

A mother in the UK has criticised Primark after it stocked shelves with bikinis for children.

Primark, which is known as Penneys in Ireland, has come under fire for 'stripping the innocence' of children through the sale of  bikinis. Holli Sherratt was shopping in Primark when a bikini caught her eye. She initially thought it was on sale for women, but then realised it was actually for children. Shocked by the sale, she has complained that the bikinis don't protect children from the sun, not to mention protecting their innocence. Speaking to The Mirror, she said:

"In my eyes it is completely stripping the innocence and childhood of said child. When I first saw the bikini, I instantly thought it was lovely until I realised it was for a child. A child should be covered up, protected from the sun and not flaunted as some sort of model. I have a daughter of my own and I want to protect her innocence and let her be a child. I look at this bikini the same way I look at bras that are aimed at young children."

A spokesperson for Primark has said that the style of bikini is in accordance with retail guidelines:

"All Primark's childrenswear, including swimwear, is designed in line with British Retail Consortium guidelines and we take great care to ensure all our children's ranges are age-appropriate."

Primark has previously come under fire for the sale of padded bras to children as young as 7. It was pointed out by one horrified woman on Twitter.

Horrified that @Primark are selling padded bras to children aged between 7-13! #Toomuchtoyoung #Children #sexualisation pic.twitter.com/bWTqD999n7

— Tyler (@MissTylerB) July 20, 2017

We reached out to Penneys in Ireland for comment and to see if the bikinis are on sale in Irish stores.