HEELYS - this summer's "must-have" for children - have been banned in shopping centres, schools and theme parks across the county amid growing safety fears.

With a wet start to the school holidays, the sight of youngsters "heeling" down the aisles of busy stores and along pavements on wheeled shoes has become a familiar one for shoppers.

But liability fears mean children are finding it harder to try out their gliding shoes - which can cost up to £90 - without being collared by the authorities.

And doctors have warned parents of the accident risks after a spate of children were rushed to Southampton A&E suffering nasty injuries.

Many of the biggest retail centres - including Bargate and Marlands, in Southampton city centre, and Swan Shopping Centre in Eastleigh - have now banned Heelys.

Despite the fact that some of their stores actually sell the shoes, the centres say they can be a danger to children - and the public.

The sneaker, which has a remov-able wheel in the heel that allows children to walk, run and then roll by shifting their weight, had been hailed as the answer to the country's childhood obesity problem. However, a report released last month highlighted the growing number of children injured in falls.

Fractured wrists are the most common injury, according to the study by surgeons at Temple Street Children's University Hospital, in Dublin, followed by dislocated and fractured elbows.

Most accidents happen while heeling outdoors on the road or pavement, while 15 per cent take place in shopping centres.

The study also found 83.5 per cent of injured children were girls and 70 per cent were beginners.

Paultons Family Theme Park, on the edge of the New Forest, asks children to remove the wheel.

Commercial director Steve Lorton said : "We have long, wide and level paths and these children can get up to real speed.

"We saw that there was a danger of them knocking other visitors over."