DOZENS of hoverboards which posed a fire risk have been destroyed to prevent them ever harming members of the public. The £7,500 consignment of 90 hoverboards imported from Hong Kong via Heathrow was intercepted by Surrey Trading Standards officers and sent for testing against electrical safety standards.

The boards were found to have defective battery packs and other faulty features which could have led to them exploding without warning.

The dangers of the boards were highlighted during the destruction process when some caught fire and had to be doused with a powder-based fire extinguisher.

After being crushed, the material was sent for recycling.

Anyone who has concerns about a product they have seen for sale or have already bought should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.