A DERBYSHIRE MEP says that women who are at risk from faulty breast implants should have the right to have them removed at the expense of the company which caused the problem.

Glenis Wilmott made the suggestion following international concerns about faulty implants supplied by French company PIP, which has now gone into administration.

The European Commission has recommended that all women who are worried should go and see their surgeons.

Mrs Wilmott said: "The British Government should force the private companies to remove faulty implants at no cost.

"Women all over the UK are suffering huge anxiety on this issue. There has been serious fraud here.

"Five countries have now recommended removal – France, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Belgium.

"But the UK Government still isn't doing enough and is leaving thousands of women in limbo," she said.

Faulty implant victim Tanya Buxton, of Allestree Lane, Allestree, said: "I definitely agree with the call because it should not be the responsibility of the NHS to sort this out.

"I was in a situation where I couldn't afford to have my implant removed privately and had to turn to the NHS because I had no alternative.

"But, if I had hired a builder who had done things wrong, I wouldn't expect my next builder to pay out. It would be the first's responsibility and it's the same in this case."

Mrs Buxton suffered excruciating pain from faulty breast implants and has joined hundreds of other women in taking legal action.

She had the implants in 2004 after she became depressed about her appearance after having a baby. Later she found a lump under her arm, which was caused by silicone leaking from the implant and had them removed in 2010.