Trading standards officers in Surrey have seized hundreds of illegal skin lightening products containing an ingredient linked to cancer.

They have confiscated two consignments of potentially dangerous cosmetics after they were brought into the country from Nigeria through Heathrow Airport.  The products were seized because they contain the skin bleaching ingredient hydroquinone which is banned in Britain and across the European Union.

The cosmetics were destined for importers in South London but they were intercepted at Heathrow by customs officials before being sent to a trading standards inspection point in Surrey.