A WARNING about the dangers of street traders' henna tattoos has led to calls for a change in the law.

A councillor is arguing that the 125-year-old peddler's licensing act needs to be changed after a street trader in Weymouth was found to be using the potentially harmful substance Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) in temporary henna tattoos.

Coun Andy Hutchings, councillor for Southill, said the licensing of street traders is outdated and checks on traders applying for a licence need to be tightened up.

Coun Hutchings said: "Each year Weymouth town centre has a large amount of peddlers who operate under an act that has been on the statute book for over 125 years.

"To my knowledge this act is still in its original form and has never been amended."

Coun Hutchings argued that the peddler's licence, which can be obtained from any police force in the country, needed to be updated for the safety and protection of the public.

Shoppers in Weymouth were warned that there has been a trend in street traders using hair dye in tattoos. Environmental health officers claimed PPD in hair dye could cause severe reactions and permanent scarring.

Coun Hutchings said: "I now have more concern because we have seen peddlers in Weymouth operating a temporary tattoo service, which can cause permanent scarring.

"These people operate without any warning signs to the general public."

He added: "My concerns have been raised by several cases of damage to the bodies of young children. Their parents are unaware of the dangers they are putting their children in."

Coun Hutchings has written to South Dorset MP Jim Knight asking him to discuss the 125-year-old act with the Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson.