High street chain Claire’s has removed three make-up products from its shelves after a warning they could be contaminated with asbestos fibres.

Officials in the US said samples from the retailer’s eyeshadows, compact powders and contour palettes tested positive for the material.

The contamination can arise when raw talc has not been purified enough before being added to make-up.

In a statement, Claire’s Europe said it had removed them “out of an abundance of caution” – and claimed there was “no evidence any items it sold were unsafe”. Claire’s added that the products were independently tested and found to comply with all relevant cosmetic safety regulations.