US child beauty pageant 'not telling parents to tan their kids'

One of America's most controversial child beauty pageants is promising the parents of would-be Irish contestants that they do not have to put fake eyelashes and tan on their children.

Texas-based "Universal Royal Beauty Pageant" will stage its first-ever show in Ireland this September.

The €20,000 event for both girls and boys, which will see babies, toddlers and teens compete against one another, includes a heat with youngsters decked out in swimwear.

Annette Hill, the head of the pageant, said they do not force anyone to cake their children in fake tan.

She said: "We are not requiring anybody to do tanning, and especially little kids. I really and truly do not like tanning, tanning is more for the older teenagers.

"If their parents want to do that, that is absolutely fine, if they don’t that's fine as well.

"We're not telling you to tan your kids, we're not telling you to put fake eyelashes on there. You can come to Universal Beauty Pageant to have a fun, family time."