A LEADING Southampton surgeon believes tougher rules on cosmetic surgery are vital to ensure safety.

Nigel Horlock, cosmetic surgeon at Spire Southampton Hospital, believes the Government’s independent review into the industry was “long overdue”.

The review, which was set up in the wake of the PIP breast implant controversy, criticised the “trivialisation”

of cosmetic procedures, influenced by reality television programmes, magazines and social media.

The report made a number of recommendations including the need for all people who provide cosmetic procedures to undergo formal qualifications and signed up to a register and the establishment of a national breast implant register.

Mr Horlock said: “This review is long overdue and I fully support its recommendations.

“I especially welcome the call to establish a national implant register.”