A POPULAR advent calendar inspired by a viral toy has been urgently recalled for presenting a serious chemical risk.

Shoppers have been urged to stop using the product immediately and to keep the advent calendar out of the reach of children.

Sisters looking at advent calendarA popular children’s advent calendar, featuring 24 figurines, has been recalled for posing a chemical risk (stock image) Credit: Getty – Contributor NINTCHDBPICT001101980992This recalled advent calendar was sold in Superdrug, The Range, and other retailers Credit: Office for Product Safety & Stan

Shoppers have been urged to stop using the MESOLAB Leaper Cute Animal immediately after it was found to contain excess chemical quantities.

The Labubu-themed calendar was widely sold by , The Range, Debenhams and Groupon during the run-up to last year.

Inside one of the 24 doors, the orange character contains excess volumes of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) – a colourless, odourless synthetic liquid chemical used in children’s toys.

When found in excess quantities, phthalates can cause harm to the of children, and has the potential to damage the reproductive system.

The has therefore been recalled from end users by MESOLAB, a third-party distributor of gifts and novelty items.

Customers who have purchased the advent calendars have been advised to stop using the product immediately and to keep out the reach of children.

Information of the further specifies that affected consumers have been contacted directly.

The Santa-themed advent calendar features 24 collectible, multicoloured mini monster figures inside.

As the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has not identified a specific batch, it is assumed that every is affected by the recall.

Under consumer law in the UK, it is a legal right to receive a full cash refund for any recalled products, with shoppers recommended to follow OPSS guidance to organise this.