A FURIOUS mum is taking action over a shop selling paracetamol to her young son who came within a whisker of an overdose.

Lewis, 12, who swallowed four of the tablets, could not check dosage advice on the packet because he is dyslexic.

And after a hospital scare, Nicola Chater yesterday said she was still to angry to confront staff at the newsagents near her home in Thornton, Bradford.

She said staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary told her that only half a tablet more could have been an overdose.

"I think it's better if I leave it for others to deal with," said Miss Chater, who has called in police and trading standards.

But the shop's owner told the Telegraph & Argus said she did not recall selling Lewis the tablets.

Lewis, hurt his finger while playing on a trampoline last weekend. The following day, he went to School Green newsagents in Thornton Road and told the shopkeeper he had hurt his finger.

"They know him well at the shop. He was upset because the finger was hurting and he asked if she had any painkillers," said Miss Chater, 30.

"She sold him a box of 16 paracetamol for £1. He took four tablets straight away and that's too much for someone his age.

"I am fuming the shopkeeper took it upon herself to sell the tablets to someone so young.

"Lewis' reading is not good because he has dyslexia, so he couldn't read the instructions on the packet."

Miss Chater, who lives at Hoyle Ing Road, and has two other sons, said she is taking action to protect other children and families.

"How did that woman know Lewis didn't want to kill himself," she said. "It could have been so much worse and people need to know these dangers exist."

Lewis' finger turned out to be broken and it is now in a plaster cast.

Kamaljeed Tack, who runs the newsagents, confirmed to the T&A that Lewis went into the shop on Sunday.

"But I can't remember giving him painkillers," she said. "I am so busy on a Sunday morning with lots of people coming into the shop. I can't really say what happened."

However, Mrs Tack said she would 'certainly be careful' in the future.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards spokesman Dave Clutterbuck said paracetamol is not an age-related product regarding sale.

"So there's not a lot we can do," he said. "Strictly speaking, no-one has done anything wrong. The shop is entitled to sell the tablets."

Mr Clutterbuck confirmed a complaint had been received and said Miss Chater would be contacted by the service.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police also confirmed the incident had been reported and that officers were investigating.

* There are no legal age restrictions for buying over-the-counter medicines. These items are classed as 'general sales list' medicines which can be bought without supervision of a pharmacist and without a prescription.

The medicines can be sold in a wide range of shops, such as newsagents, supermarkets and petrol stations although some retailers have company policies which restrict the sale of such medicines to children.