A SHOP and its director have been fined more than £5,000 for selling beauty products with harmful levels of mercury inside.

Beauty by Zara, in Clarence Road, in Grays along with its director Imran Ahmen Bashir, pleaded guilty to selling a skin lightening product – ‘Dr James UV Whitening Cream’ – containing harmful levels of mercury.

Both were found to be in breach of the EU Cosmetics Regulation and the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and were found to be and the director, Imran Ahmen Bashir, pleaded guilty and were fined £2,649 each.

Sue MacPherson, councillor responsible for Neighbourhoods, said: “Residents should be aware of the dangers some skin lightening creams pose – products should only be purchased from reputable retailers which have the name and address of a company within the EU.

“Some illicit beauty products contain very harmful substances – such as mercury and lead - and consumers must research them thoroughly beforehand.”

Residents with concerns over retailers selling harmful cosmetics should call 03454 040506.