Woman, 21, dies after taking 'highly toxic' diet pills

A 21-year-old woman has died after taking diet pills which may contain a highly toxic chemical.

Eloise Parry, from Shrewsbury, died in hospital on April 12 after taking the pills, West Mercia Police said.

The pills - which are being tested - are thought to contain dinitrophenol, also known as DNP, which is an industrial chemical and extremely dangerous.

Police have launched a full investigation into Ms Parry's death and issued a "stark reminder" to the public about the dangers of buying substances online.

DNP has previously been marketed online as a "wonder slimming aid", but health officials have warned that it accelerates a person's metabolism to a "dangerously fast level".

This can trigger rapid breathing, an abnormally fast heartbeat and a fever, according to NHS warnings.

The Food Standards Agency said the drug "can be extremely dangerous to human health".

Ms Parry's mother Fiona said her daughter's life had ended "before it had really had a chance to begin".

"There were so many things that she dreamed of doing - travelling, having a career and having a family - things that she never got a chance to experience," she said in a statement.

"She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and it will be all the good memories of her that we will cherish as we go through the difficult weeks and months ahead."