Mum warns of dangers of using much-loved Bunnykins sets after testing them

Frequently given as a present to babies and children , Royal Doulton's much-loved and popular Bunnykins crockery is a staple in many a home.

Both a gift and a collectable, it's easy to see the appeal of these plates, cups and bowls with their cute and classic design.

But as much as these might be treasured additions to your kitchen, they also potentially pose a serious health risk.

One mum has found that older sets within the range contain a worrying level of toxins.

Tamara Rubin is a mum and leading child health advocate recently tested the Bunnykins products and shared some disturbing findings.

Older versions contain a lot of lead (Lead Safe Mama)

"I have not yet tested a Bunnykins set that was lead-free (or even lead-safe) so I recommend avoiding them altogether," she said.

During the course of her testing, she discovered a 1967-1976 Royal Doulton Bunnykins Baby Bowl to have 61,800 ppm lead on the food surface, which is nearly 700 times the safe level.

"For context, the amount of lead that is considered unsafe on a newly manufactured item (made today) intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm lead or higher in the paint, glaze or coating," she explained on her  Lead Safe Mama blog.

"This bowl pictured here has 61,800 ppm – nearly 700 times the level that is considered unsafe.  As a result, this bowl would actually be considered illegal by current standards if manufactured today."

Also a part of her experiment, she tested a 1988 Royal Doulton English Fine Bone China Bunnykins Baby Bowl and found 10,100 ppm lead on the food surface.

In a third Bunnykins test she found 73,800 ppm lead in a 1970s vintage ceramic dish set.

She added: "If this were sold today - with this level of lead - it would be considered highly illegal because it is a dishware set sold specifically to be used by young children and it is positive for more than 90 ppm of lead in the glaze or coating."

Tamara's waring includes her pointing out that many older sets considered "vintage" would not gave been regulated and may still be sold as second-hand.

MirrorOnline has reached out to Royal Doulton for comment.