Easter egg with bottle of Buckfast prompts fears for children’s safety

The maker of Buckfast has criticised Easter eggs that come with a bottle of their tonic wine, as it warns that children may drink the alcohol.

The firm behind the drink, made by monks in Devon and particularly popular among Scottish youth, is urging consumers to boycott the egg, which they want removed from sale.

The Buckfast chocolate eggs, which come with a miniature bottle of the tonic wine and a lighter, are being sold by Northern Irish off-licence D-Bees. It has had 2,000 orders from all over the UK, the US and Australia.

However, J Chandler & Co, the company that bottles and distributes the wine, said it was concerned that the chocolate could attract children.

Stewart Wilson, sales manager of J Chandler & Co, said: “The Easter eggs have not been authorised or instigated by our company.

“We strongly advise the public not to purchase them. Our products are for adults and we do not engage in any activity that promotes our products to children.”

D-Bees, based in Lurgan, County Armagh, has in the past created a Christmas Buckfast hamper and a Valentine’s collection of the drink. But it is the £9.99 Easter package which has drawn the most support.

Derek Brennan, the shop owner, said: “The website crashed due to interest. We have 2,000 orders.”