Eating disorders charity Beat has required a general change in regulations surrounding the sale of laxatives, following a 30% increase in fruta planta strong version calls from people with them in an unhealthy and potentially life-threatening way.

A study by BBC Watchdog found there aren't any restrictions to avoid people buying large quantities of laxatives, despite repeated warnings from charities about widespread abuse by young adults who use these to slim down.

BBC Watchdog sent 14-year-old actors into 25 branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Asda and Boots to purchase three boxes of stimulant laxatives.

No actors were stopped or questioned by staff in any of the stores, despite purchasing a minimum of 60 tablets every time.

The eating disorders charity Beat said it warned five years ago that individuals, including teenagers, were using laxatives to shed weight.

Some 80% of those that had been affected by an eating disorder said they'd misused laxatives in order to lose weight, a survey by the charity found.

Laxative abuse can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can result in kidney failure.

It can also damage the liver and potentially damage the center, resulting in heart failure and death.

Beat is calling for restrictions to be put in place by supermarkets and retailers to reduce the convenience with which young adults can purchase laxatives in big amounts.

It's suggested the absolute minimum purchase age of 16, a maximum pack size reduced to 10 tablets, sales limited to pharmacies along with a warning label on packets.

Beat chief executive Susan Ringwood told BBC Watchdog: "Young people don't have to look far to locate these details. They turn to the internet. That's the first place they go to.

"We've seen a 30% rise in calls to our helplines over the last year where individuals have mentioned overusing laxatives in unhealthy way. Which does include a significant number of young people too."

Tesco, Asda and Morrisons said sales of laxatives were made according to regulations set through the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Boots UK director of professional standards, Steve Banks, said: "As a responsible pharmacy-led retailer we're concerned to hear from BBC Watchdog about Beat's report that there's been a boost in incidences of customers misusing laxatives.

"Providing safe use of medicines in line with current MHRA regulations, using the relevant healthcare advice and information available reaches the heart of what we all do."

He added: "We wish to provide support towards the small minority of consumers who misuse these products, while making sure that nearly all customers who use these medicines appropriately could achieve this.

"In response we will be providing further fruta planta pink training for our healthcare colleagues to allow them to better identify possible signs of misuse and provide further support and advice, including signposting people to further sources of help.

"On an issue such as this it is important that manufacturers, retailers and regulatory bodies work together to look at how you can respond and we'd welcome being involved with a broader conversation about this topic to understand what further action could be agreed."