Paint containing 40 times the recommended levels of lead was found on equipment in Hampshire playgrounds, a study says.

Environmental scientists from Plymouth University analysed the metallic content of paints on equipment at almost 50 playgrounds, including some less than a decade old.

They discovered lead content up to 40 times greater than recommended concentrations, along with higher than expected levels of chromium, antimony and cadmium, including in two playgrounds in the New Forest Their research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, suggests the levels could pose a significant potential risk to young children.

And they provide a series of recommendations which scientists believe all playground operators should consider with immediate effect.

They say surfaces should be monitored regularly for condition and, in particular, for flaking and cracking paint; paint in poor condition should be carefully removed repainted with lead-free paint, or equipment replaced; parents should be made aware of the dangers of children sucking or biting painted surfaces or ingesting paint chips.

Dr Andrew Turner, Reader in Environmental Science at Plymouth University, led the research.

He said: "While undisturbed and intact, coatings and their chemical components are relatively safe.

But once the film begins to deteriorate through abrasion or via exposure to UV light and moisture, the paint begins to crack, flake and chalk and metal-bearing particulates are mobilised into the environment.

"The effects of lead on human health, including those that impact on the neurological development of children, are well-documented with regard to paint exposure in urban and domestic settings."

European rules say paint should not be more than 5000 parts per million of lead, while UK guidelines recommendnew paint is lead-free or less than 2,500 parts per million.

However, this study showed that in some instances, levels of up to 152,000 parts per million of lead were detected in railings, support, handles and gates.

The highest concentrations of lead, chromium and antimony generally occurred in yellow or red paints, and in newer playgrounds as well as old.

Dr Turner added: "Given that the total tolerable daily intake of lead for a child under six years of age is 6 microgrammes, the results of this study suggest that very little ingestion is required to present a potential health hazard.

"And while our tests have focused on the south of England, there is no reason to suggest its results would not be replicated across the UK and further afield.

"It is difficult to attribute poisoning directly to paint on playground equipment because the effects of lead are cumulative and children may be exposed to a multitude of sources of lead in domestic and urban settings.

"But previous studies around elevated lead in blood levels and the ingestion of paint chips have strongly suggested that paint is the source of intoxication."