A dental receptionist suffered horrific eye injuries after putting on tanning salon goggles that had been soaked in industrial-strength disinfectant.

Julie Wilmshurst, 46, visited Melody Ann Unisex Hair Salon, in Hailsham, before a trip to Egypt to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary.

She was told by staff to wear the protective goggles, that had been soaked in Mar-V-Cide industrial disinfectant.

When she entered the tanning booth she felt a searing pain in both eyes as the disinfectant, normally used as a cleaner for hard surfaces, burnt into her.

Mrs Wilmshurst, from Polegate, tore off the goggles but, fearful the UV rays would harm her eyes kept them shut tight, enduring five minutes with the disinfectant in her eyes before the machine stopped.

She sustained permanent damage to both eyes. She gets regular ulcers and has an increased risk of developing Macula disease, which can severely limit eyesight. She can no longer wear contact lenses.

Mrs Wilmshurst said: "The pain was absolutely horrific and started straight away.

"I was trapped inside the booth for five minutes which seemed like an absolute eternity because I knew the UV would also harm my eyes.

"I was just stuck in there with my eyes streaming and the pain just getting worse. It was a nightmare."

Mrs Wilmshurst rushed out of the salon in Hawkeswood Road to the dental practice where she works, in High Street, Hailsham, where there was emergency eyewash.

She was later taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital where surgeons had to consult Guy's Hospital in London for specialist advice on treatment.

The current manager of the salon, Donna Hoad, said all of those employed when the incident happened had since left.

She told The Argus: "We are still open for business and everything is now completely up to scratch and is of the highest standard."

Mrs Wilmshurst began court proceedings against the salon and received an undisclosed sum in an out-of-court settlement in May.

The salon has been prosecuted by Wealden District Council after health and safety inspectors found a lack of knowledge and "serious shortcomings" in health and safety procedures despite warnings immediately after the incident.

Inspectors from Wealden District Council immediately closed the salon after a visit in March 2005 during which staff demonstrated they did not know how the disinfectant was used.

Its owners were issued with "improvement notices" by the council in March but three months later inspectors visited again to test staff on their knowledge of the disinfectant and found no further training had been put in place.

The salon was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,780 in Eastbourne Magistrate's Court.

The salon's owners admitted five charges of failing to comply with improvement notices.

Wealden councillor Pam Doodes said: "Businesses are not doing themselves any favours by ignoring health and safety training and risk assessment.

"Injuries to customers and staff resulting from this sort of neglect have to be taken very seriously."

miles.godfrey@theargus.co.uk