These products pose a risk to the health and well-being of babies and children

Mike Brown, Boots the Chemist

Boots sun care expert Mike Brown said: "We have to ensure that our UVA rating system is properly used.

"We feel it is our responsibility to make the public aware in the run up to a bank holiday and with summer fast approaching."

He added: "These products pose a risk to the health and well-being of babies and children as parents may be misled about the UVA protection provided."

Boots introduced a star rating system in 1992.

It measures the ability of sun cream to protect against harmful UVA sun rays.

Four star system

Looney Tunes sun lotion has been withdrawn

Retailers and manufacturers pay Boots for a licence to use the one-to-four star system and the company makes random inspections to ensure levels are being met.

In October 1998, an inspection found that several Looney Tunes products were claiming a four star rating - meaning they provided the highest level of protection.

In fact, the products offered only two star protection levels.

In 1999, Boots terminated LincoCare's licence and last March the manufacturers were told to withdraw all products bearing the Star Rating Symbol.

But Boots says Looney Tunes lotions with the symbols are still on sale in High Streets.

We have total confidence in the safety of all our current ranges

LincoCare spokesman

A statement from LincoCare said: "The Looney Tunes product in question was manufactured by a third party and was discontinued in October 1999. We have since recalled the product.

"We have total confidence in the safety of all our current ranges. They are manufactured to the highest standards and have been independently and rigorously tested.

"We are seeking an urgent face-to-face meeting with Boots and are confident that we will be able to satisfy them of the total safety of all our current products and that they do comply to the star safety rating standards."

Research published earlier this year in the British Medical Journal suggested that the current sunscreen ratings in use confuse the public.