One of the country's leading toy stores has taken loom band charms off its shelves after they were found to contain potentially harmful chemicals.

The Entertainer said the charms could contain phthalates, which can disrupt hormones in children. The chemicals, which are used to soften plastics, have been banned in toys on sale in the European Union for several years.

A spokeswoman for The Entertainer said: ''It was brought to our attention today that loom charms purchased from one of our stores may contain phthalates.

There are no stores in the Dorset area but the closest shop is based in Salisbury.