More than 30 children's toys have been recalled in the UK since the start of the year after being found to contain asbestos.

Retailers including Tesco, Argos and M&S have taken the toys off shelves after they were found to contain the substance, recall information on the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) website shows.

Asbestos causes mesothelioma, a cancer which usually starts in the lining of the lungs, and the UK prohibits the sale of products containing it in any quantity.

The affected toys are thought to contain sand from mines in China where asbestos fibres can occur naturally and labelling rules are less rigorous. 

Consumers are urged to check if they own the recalled products on the OPSS website. 

If they do, they should keep it out of reach of children.

This follows Hobbycraft recalling a craft kit in January due to traces of asbestos in the coloured sand.

Kate Dearden, the minister for consumer protection, called it 'staggering' that 'toys are being sold with asbestos'. 

She said measures are being taken to 'clamp down on irresponsible sellers'.

Sue Davies, of consumer group Which?, said the OPSS should also examine if 'toys containing asbestos are being sold on online marketplaces where there is far more limited regulation'.