Varities of Koala brand biscuits and White Rabbit sweets which have been found to be contaminated with melamine have been withdrawn from sale in Bedfordshire.

The action was taken by Bedfordshire County Council trading standards and local environmental health officers.

The products being withdrawn are:

** Koala Chocolate Cookies 49g
** Koala Strawberry Cookies 49g
** Koala Yummie Cookies Chestnut 49g
** Koala Melon Cookies 49g
** White Rabbit Creamy Candies 227g: best before 20-1-10 and 20-5-10
** White Rabbit Creamy Candies 454g: best before 20-5-10.

The risk to public health is low, but customers who have bought affected biscuits are advised to return them to the store where they will receive a refund.

Melamine was the substance used illegally in China to boost the apparent protein content of milk, and caused kidney stones and other complications in infants.

Retailers have been contacted, to ensure they take action to withdraw or recall the listed products.

Councillor Peter Hollick, cabinet member for community services, said: "The safety of the public is our first priority. Whilst the risk to public health is low, our trading standards officers, together with environmental health officers, are working closely with local retailers to ensure contaminated stocks are withdrawn."

The affected biscuits and sweets were manufactured in China by Lotte China Foods Co. and Guanshengyuan Food General Factory respectively, and distributed to a number of premises in the UK.