Models under the age of 16 may be banned from participating in London Fashion Week.An expert panel has recommended that young models be removed from the shows due to the dangers, particularly an increased risk of eating disorders, posed by the insufficiently regulated industry.

“The panel has set out an approach designed to protect vulnerable young workers in an industry which appears to be glamorous but which has hidden risks and that for all practical purposes is largely unregulated and unmonitored.”

“During our investigations members of the panel became increasingly concerned as we heard more details about the working conditions faced by many models and the vulnerability of young women working in an unregulated and scarcely-monitored work environment.”

“There was also strongly expressed concern that it is profoundly inappropriate that girls under 16 under the age of consent should be portrayed as adult women. The risk of sexualising these children was high and designers could risk charges of sexual exploitation,” said Baroness Kingsmill.

The report also recognised the dangers of underweight models within the fashion industry.

“We have been given startling medical evidence about the prevalence and impact of eating disorders in certain high-risk industries.”