Mother's silicone fight

Campaigners fighting to ban silicone breast implants have welcomed legal action being taken by a mother who says her implants poisoned her baby.

Mary Bowler, 26, of North Walsham, Norfolk, alleges that her daughter's chronic stomach cramps, severe skin problems and food allergies are a result of silicone poisoning.

She is the first British woman to be granted legal aid to look at the possibility of suing the unnamed manufacturers. If her High Court action is successful, it could spark a flood of similar claims.

Mrs Bowler said she had a single implant for medical reasons in January 1993 and was not warned of any potential risk before breast-feeding her daughter Daniella, now 21-months-old, for just three days. "I stopped because it was excruciatingly painful and I felt the implant move and pull," said Mrs Bowler, who believes her own health has also suffered.