33 plastic surgery clinics face court action

New controls on Britain's cosmetic surgery industry are looming as 33 clinics face court action for health and safety lapses.

The new inspection regime, including spot checks, is part of a government overhaul which puts regulation of independent health services in the hands of the Healthcare Commission.

It means private clinics will come under the same scrutiny as NHS hospitals and will be closed and prosecuted if standards are not met.

The move comes amid concerns that the £225 million cosmetic surgery industry takes advantage of vulnerable people, encouraging them to have unnecessary surgery or hazardous procedures.

Cosmetic surgeons are eight times more likely to be sued than general surgeons.

The number of Britons having cosmetic procedures - from surgery to Botox - has risen massively, with 75,000 procedures in 2002, according to BUPA.