Hobbycraft has issued a full recall of children’s coloured play sand after confirming some bottles contained asbestos, presenting “a risk to health”.

The Guardian revealed at the weekend that the craft retailer had stopped selling the kit after being alerted to the risk but had stopped short of alerting customers who had already bought the item.

The asbestos was discovered by a customer whose children had played with the sand at a party. The parent, who did not wish to be named, recognised it from reports of a recall in Australia and New Zealand and paid for a lab test.

She alerted Hobbycraft when three of the five bottles in its Giant Box of Craft set were found to contain fibrous tremolite asbestos.

The chain withdrew the product from sale but declined to issue a recall notice, saying no UK authority had warned of a risk and there was no evidence of harm to customers.

However, after carrying out its own independent tests, Hobbycraft has now issued a full recall, stating: “The product presents a risk to health as the vials of sand included in the set 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 General Product Safety Regulations 2005.”

It is now instructing customers who bought the sand to stop using it immediately and keep it out of the reach of children. If the sand is still in its packaging, they should place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double tape it securely, label it clearly and store it in a secure location out of the reach of children.

If the sand has been used, they should clean the area with wet cloths to avoid generating dust, while wearing gloves and a mask, then double bag the sand, gloves, mask and cloths.

Parents can return the sand vials at a Hobbycraft store for a full refund or dispose of the sand in general household waste and contact the retailer for a full refund.

Asbestos can cause cancer in later life if inhaled, although the risk to children who played with the sand is thought to be low. The affected play sand was manufactured in China where goods containing less than 5% asbestos can be labelled as asbestos free.

“Following independent testing of a children’s sand product previously sold by Hobbycraft, traces of asbestos have been identified in a limited number of samples,” a spokesperson for the company said. “In coordination with trading standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, we are voluntarily recalling the Giant Box of Craft with immediate effect.

“This recall is being undertaken as a precaution, in line with regulatory guidance and our own commitment to product safety. We are in the process of proactively contacting customers where we have their contact details.”