More than eight out of 10 parents believe their children are exposed to too much marketing, according to research published today.

The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI), which conducted the survey, is calling for more study into the long-term effects of marketing aimed at young people.

The charity believes parents who want to control what their children consume are "struggling under a tidal force of marketing they cannot fight".

It was debating the subject at a seminar taking place in London today.

The survey of 1,391 parents questioned by the NFPI in April this year found 84 per cent thought there was too much marketing targeted at their children.

Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the NFPI, said: "Parents have a sense of family life and parental control struggling under a tidal force of marketing they cannot fight.

"This not surprising when you consider the billions spent targeting children as consumers."

Tuesday November 25, 2003