Havant council bans bouncy castles after death

Havant's ban will remain in place until the cause of Sunday's death in Norfolk is known

A council in Hampshire has banned bouncy castles and other inflatables on its land following the death of a three-year-old girl in Norfolk.

Ava-May Littleboy suffered a fatal head injury when she was thrown from an inflatable trampoline which "exploded" at Gorleston Beach on Sunday.

Havant Borough Council said it had not had any incidents, but it would impose the action until the inquiry was over.

The prime minister was asked on Wednesday to bring in a temporary ban.

Theresa May faced demands during Prime Minister's Questions to introduce a ban on bouncy castles in public spaces until their safety could be assured.

Summer Grant was killed in Harlow, Essex, when the bouncy castle she was playing on "cartwheeled" down a hill

The calls came following the deaths both of Ava-May and Summer Grant, of Norwich, killed in Harlow, Essex, in 2016.

Harlow's Conservative MP Robert Halfon said he had been contacted by the grandmother of the seven-year-old who died when a bouncy castle blew away in his constituency.

Mr Halfon told the Commons he was also contacted by parents around the country who said their children had been hurt in similar circumstances.

Mrs May offered her condolences to the families of Ava-May and Summer and said she "shared his concerns" about the "tragic" incidents.

"If any findings emerge from the investigation then the necessary recommendations to improve safety will be shared," she said.

A Havant Borough Council spokesman said: "It has been decided that until the reason for the explosion of the bouncy castle has been identified, such that the risk can be properly managed by the event organiser, Havant Borough Council will not permit the use of bouncy castles or inflatables at any events taking place on its land.

"The position will be reviewed once the outcome of the inquiry into the cause of the explosion of the bouncy castle is known."