BRADFORD MPs have slammed the energy drinks market for selling cheap products to children after a Telegraph & Argus investigation found cans on sale for as little as 39p in city centre shops.

The drinks are full of sugar and caffeine, with some research suggesting the drinks are bad for mental, dental and physical health.

We found deals including three for £1, two for 60p and other newsagents selling 450ml cans for 99p in city centre shops. Some of the cans come with a warning that they are unsuitable for children.

A Telegraph & Argus reporter also observed Bradford children drinking them on their way to school, possibly as a substitute for a healthy and substantial breakfast.

Sales of the drinks to children under-16 have been voluntarily banned by most major UK supermarkets since March, but smaller outlets have not followed suit.

However, a ban on selling the drinks to children is being consulted on by the Government.

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, said: “These findings are extremely worrying as there is strong evidence which shows that these energy drinks are harmful to our children, they are packed with sugar and caffeine and are having an adverse effect on their overall health.

“Although the major retailers are refusing to sell energy drinks to children sadly only 21 per cent of the UK grocery market, including corner shops, has signed up to the voluntary restrictions. I therefore welcome the Government’s proposals to impose a ban on all shops selling energy drinks to children.

“The proposals are currently at the consultation stage but the intention is to use the same sanctions as selling cigarettes to children, this means shops could be fined up to £2,500.

“For any child to have anything other than a healthy breakfast to start their day in this day and age is a further shameful indictment of Tory policy which is impacting on children.”

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin set out Labour’s plans for energy drinks.

She added: “The UK has the second highest consumption of energy drinks per head in the world, so while this investigation is shocking, it is sadly not surprising.

“With the high sugar and caffeine content and drinks available in some places for as little as 25p, it’s clear that something needs to be done.

“Last month the Tory Government finally decided to follow Labour’s lead with proposals to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, but yet again the decision has been pushed back with plans for yet another consultation.

“The Labour Party would restrict the sale of energy drinks to under 16s and this would work in conjunction with properly funded local public health schemes to keep children fit and healthy.”

Five shops and newsagents in Bradford city centre were found to be selling energy drinks for less than a pint of milk.

The Emerge range of drinks are some of the cheapest on the market and retail at 39p a can, but come with a warning that they are not suitable for children.

Guidance printed on the back of the can reads: “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant and breast-feeding women.”

A Telegraph & Argus reporter frequently saw children walking to school and drinking the cans.

Ian Murch of the Bradford National Union of Teachers, said their content can have an impact on a child’s behaviour in the classroom.

He said: “They are ridiculously cheap, so you are getting a large amount of caffeine and sugar, which will give you a rush, but if people use them as a substitute for breakfast, their energy levels will crash later on because they are not taking in the food which helps them.

“They are a problem for society in general because children are only copying what adults do.

“There’s a strong case for making them more expensive so they are worth the equivalent of alcohol.

“Schools are right to not sell them and confiscate them if they are brought into school, but it doesn’t stop children buying them.

“It has to be the people who sell them who stop this from happening.”