The voice of Barbie has sparked controversy by saying the doll should "stay young and beautiful" and not be in a wheelchair.

Janie Wellborne, from Sevenoaks, was the UK voice of the doll in the 1960s and made the remarks after Hythe's Rose Ayling-Ellis was part of a group of celebrities who unveiled a range of the dolls to celebrate diversity. Strictly star Rose's had a little hearing aid.

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The new range of dolls will feature Barbie in wheelchairs, prosthetics and hearing aids.

Ms Wellborne said: "I don't think that Barbie should be in a wheelchair.

"Maybe they ought to bring a completely new doll out for that purpose, and not use Barbie that is represented, and has been for decades, in a different way.

"I think she should stay forever young and beautiful.

"Let's have another doll in a wheelchair, not Barbie. I don't think that is such a good idea because this isn't what she represents."

Janie's comments have received fierce backlash from those who say all children deserve to see themselves represented in their favourite toy.

Christine Locke, from Sittingbourne charity Diversity House, explained the importance of the new dolls.

She said: "The new hearing aid Barbie is very important because it shows that we are different in ways, but also similar.

"You have children who wear hearing aids, and if you don't have a Barbie that they can relate to, then what are you trying to tell them?

"That they're not valued? Are you trying to tell them they are not part of society?

"We really need to teach people about differences.

"I will advocate in schools that people are taught about not just diversity, diversity is about differences, but if you also teach them inclusion and teach them how being diverse and inclusive will lead to cohesiveness.

"Diversity is not something you should be afraid of. It's something you should celebrate."