Plastic surgeons have welcomed the launch of a major review of cosmetic surgery.

It follows the PIP breast implant scandal, where a French company had used non-medical grade silicone in implants which were then at risk of rupturing and causing swelling in the body.

The inquiry will be led by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh who has said he fears many people do not realise such procedures can have lifelong implications.

Speaking to The Times, Sir Bruce said he was likely to recommend tighter rules in several key areas, such as making it routine practice for surgeons to register all devices on a detailed register that could be used to detect trends and trace individual patients.

He has also promised to clean up the "grubby areas" of an industry that he says does not give patients enough protection.