Mid-Day

Actress-model Elizabeth Hurley, who has never been shy about flaunting her own body in order to promote her swimwear business, has been accused of sexualising young girls through her bikini range for children.

The 47-year-old actress’ website features several children wearing the skimpy designs while striking poses more suitable for adult models.

It includes items for the under-eights like animal-print ‘Mini Cha Cha Bikini’ which costs 45 pounds and is modelled by a blonde child with both hands placed precociously on her hips.

Elizabeth Hurley (in red dress) with models posing in her swimwear line. File Pic/AFP

A 47-pound lilac ‘Collette Bikini’ for the 8-13 age range, the top of which is held together at the front by a gold ring, is described as being ‘great for girls who want to look grown up’.

A number of campaigners accused former Australian cricketer Shane Warne’s fiancee of encouraging inappropriate behaviour.

“It is very disturbing to see some inappropriate items in this swimwear range,” the Daily Mail quoted Claude Knight, director of the child protection charity Kidscape, as saying.

“The pieces that are very adult and which contribute to the sexualisation of young girls – especially in the poses portrayed – do not take account of the child protection concerns that have been well-aired,” he added.