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An urgent product recall has been issued for seven toys sold at a popular high street toy shop. Trading Standards has expressed concern the toys present a risk to children's health and "may be contaminated with a quantity of asbestos." It is yet another scare after a number of toys were removed from sale in recent weeks amid contamination concerns.

The Government's Office for Product Safety and Standards are urging parents to return the toys for a full refund or if they have already been opened to wear a mask and gloves to dispose of the offending material.

They have now issued a hazard warning. It reads: "The product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the set may be contaminated with a quantity of asbestos.

"The product presents a risk to health as the sand-like material inside the toy may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos. Asbestos is a banned substance because it poses a risk to health even at low levels of exposure.

"The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. Corrective action: The products have been recalled from end users by Smyths Toys."

The warning continues: "The product has been recalled from end users by Smyths Toys. We recommend owners stop using this product immediately and keep it out of the reach of children. Follow the below instructions for details on disposal and return of the product."

The items that have been recalled are a range of dig toys including the Dino Dig Sensory Bin, (248772) the Dig In Kit GOLD, (231105) Let's Dig Out Dinosaur Eggs 10pc (166403), Gem Dig Kit, 12 Gem Pack (187539), Dig It Up Pirates 13 Treasure Chest (223521) and the Gem Dig 8 pack.

Disposal instructions have been issued by the Government department. They say:

• Stop using the product immediately.
• If the sand is still in its packaging, place in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store in a secure location out of the reach of children.
• If the sand has been used, clean up sites where the product was used using wet cloths to avoid generating dust. Wear gloves and a mask. Double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.
• Keep children and other people away from areas where the sand has been used until the area has been cleaned.
• Return the sand vials from the product to your nearest Smyths Toys store for a full refund.
• If you are unable to get to a Smyths Toys store, please follow the instructions above and dispose of the sand in your general household waste. Contact Smyths Toys for a full refund.

However while testing has shown that the material inside some products may contain trace levels of asbestos, they sau the overall risk is low, however Smyths Toys is recalling the selected items as a precaution.

Smyths say to stop using the product immediately, keep the product out of reach of children and return the product to your nearest Smyths Toys Superstore for a full refund free of charge.

If you have any further queries regarding this notice, please contact cshelpdesk@smythstoys.com

Smyths Toys operates 130 stores in the UK and Northern Ireland and are recognised as the fastest-growing toy retailer, offering a wide range of toys, baby products, and video games.

They started out as a family newsagent on Main Street, Claremorris, County Mayo in Ireland, back in in 1935.The newsagent's shop sold newspapers, cigarettes, groceries and toys. The business opened its first dedicated toy shop in 1986, in a basement unit off Eyre Square in Galway.