DANGEROUS Christmas lights are being sold online, an investigation has revealed.

Officers from West Sussex County Council bought four types of lights from a popular online marketplace and sent them for safety testing.

All lights failed the tests and three posed a serious risk of electrocution because of easily accessible live parts and unsafe wiring.

County council environment chief Deborah Urquhart encouraged customers to only buy recognised brands from known sellers.

She said: “I would urge customers to take the advice of Trading Standards officers.”