A controversial US reality TV show involving children is due to get its first airing on the CBS network, the BBC reports this morning.

Kid Nation took 40 children to an abandoned New Mexico desert town where they were left to fend for themselves for 40 days. The youngsters, some as young as 8, are supposed to create a functioning society with a system of laws, commerce and even a class system.

The New York Times reported that New Mexico officials were investigating whether the show, Kid Nation, violated state laws on child labour and child abuse.

There are claims that CBS was warned during filming that the set-up was likely to be in violation of New Mexico law.

The children were surrounded by cameras, but had no contact with adults. They were even allowed to socialise in the defunct saloon of the Bonanza City ghost town - though they only had access to root beer, and not real ale.

The youngsters were allowed to leave during the course of production and several did.

The 40 day stint was completed this May, and the parent of one child complained to state officials that the children's treatment bordered on abuse.

Four children received medical treatment for accidentally drinking bleach, one was burned on her face with hot grease while cooking in an unsupervised kitchen, and most of the children were required to work 14 hours or longer per day. They received a payment of $US5,000 for taking part.

CBS contends the children were not employees because they were not performing specific work for specific wages. But a New Mexico official warned the production that the state did not agree with the network's interpretation of state labour law.

CBS defends their decision: "We are confident that the true story will be told in the weeks ahead through the episodes on the screen and the voices of the kids who participated - the overwhelming majority of whom had a positive experience."

The show is due to begin airing in the US today.

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