UNTIL recently little Maisie Chard's internet forays had stretched no further than the CBeebies website, where she could pit her wits against the site's cartoon-inspired games and puzzles.

But mum Sarah will be keeping a closer eye on the three-year-old from now on, after the computer whizz-tot decided to use her skills to go on an eBay shopping spree.

Mrs Chard, of Tydeman Road, Bearsted, near Maidstone said: "I had been watching something in a shop on eBay to see what price it would fetch and then walked out of the room.

"When I came back in, the computer was off. I turned it back on and went back into the homepage and it said 'congratulations on your purchase'. My stomach turned."

Fortunately for Mrs Chard, Maisie had clicked on one of the site's cheaper items, a £12.95 Laduree Paris hand-held fan and not any of the items which were fetching more than £100.

Mrs Chard added: “She’s a little wotsit; she knows the buttons to press to get on CBeebies but she must have accidentally clicked into the shop and double-clicked on the fan.

"After that we put a password on the computer and we make sure we log off eBay!"

There's a happy end to the story though; the fan will be auctioned off in aid of learning disability charity Maidstone Mencap, on Saturday March 15, at the Orchard Spot pub, Downswood.

If you would like to bid for the fan, call 01622 206198 or 01580 891512.