Leopard-print bikinis on little girls. Okay or not okay?

Oh, Liz Hurley – at times I am a genuine admirer of yours. You might have odd taste in men but you seem to be a survivor and despite the career setbacks over the years you just keep plugging away.

But this time I am disappointed in you. (I hope that doesn’t keep you up at night…) How on earth could you possibly think mothers would let their four-, five- and six-year-old daughters wear lingerie disguised as swimming costumes to the pool?

Liz, the fashion designer-come-celebrity-tweeter, is under fire for promoting her range of swimwear aimed at girls under 8. The range – which has previously caused controversy – was relaunched during the week by Liz herself.

She sent a tweet to her 450,000 followers asking them to check out her range: ‘Going somewhere hot at Easter? Check out our Swim Collection. Our Kids collection is divine too.’ Liz uploaded an image of her kids' bikini display at upmarket department store Harrods.

The range features teeny-weeny animal prints, lace and sexy straps. One is even marketed as being for girls who want to look grown up. The backlash was instantaneous and fierce.

“‘KIDS? Leopard Print bikinis on KIDS!?’”

“What ages are the kids!?’

We are a pretty mixed-up society these days. While on one hand we hold our children tight and refuse to let them think for themselves, on the other hand we encourage them to dress like 20-year-olds and dance along to pop stars who pose naked on statues of horses. (Seriously, Miley Cyrus - what is that meant to be?) So you can’t really blame a fashion designer trying to make a buck for capitalising on the old adage ‘sex sells’.

Two years ago when the range was first launched there was a similar uproar. Claude Knight, the director of the UK child protection charity Kidscape, told the Daily Mail, "It is very disturbing to see some inappropriate items in this swimwear range ... The pieces that are very adult and which contribute to the sexualisation of young girls – especially in the poses portrayed – do not take account of the child protection concerns that have been well-aired."

Siobhan Freegard, founder of Netmums, agreed. "I know a number of mothers who are concerned about the sexualisation of their children and would be horrified by their daughters dressing like mini-strippers."

The idea of someone thinking of a six-year-old as a ‘mini stripper’ is horrifying, yet a part of me agrees these bikinis are completely inappropriate.

I am no prude. If my three-year old daughter wants to tear down the street on her scooter wearing nothing but her Peppa Pig gum boots I am all for it, but something about bikinis on little girls makes me grimace. I am about to make a broad sweeping statement that might shock you in its absolute omneity: I don’t think ANY bikini is appropriate for a little girl.

I know, I know, you are wondering if I just turbo-charged here from 1950. But there is something I can’t quite put my finger on; something that just looks wrong.

It could be the order I had my kids in. My two boys happily parade around with their shirts off in their board shorts. I feel slightly uncomfortable that my three-year old, who looks exactly the bloody same as them, has an expectation to cover her chest. Why should she be self conscious of her ‘boobies’? Thinking back, I most probably happily wore a triangle crocheted bikini without a thought in the world, so I am well aware I could be a little hypocritical.

I also wouldn’t bat an eyelid if my daughter wanted to wear a pair of those cute knee high fake fur boots and a demin skirt.

So I know I am taking the stance of Judgey McJudgey here. But I frankly dread the day my daughter asks me to replace her rashie with a leopard print, lace-topped swimming bra.

Liz Hurley - think one-piece, think long-sleeved, think mermaids and puppies and kittens. Leave a tiny shred of innocence, just for a while.

What do you think. Bikinis on kids - for or against?