Toy giant Mattel yesterday issued an urgent recall of more than 1.9m potentially dangerous toys made in China over fears about unsafe levels of lead in paint and loose magnets.

The announcement comes weeks after the company recalled almost 1.5m products worldwide that were supplied to the firm's brand Fisher Price by a Chinese manufacturer.

The company said yesterday that as a result of "increased investigation" 49,000 Sarge toys from the "Cars" range were being taken off the shelves after a subcontractor, Hong Li Da Plastic Cement Products Facility, used paint from a non-authorised supplier. It also announced the UK recall of 69 magnetic products, including certain dolls, figures, play sets and accessories in the Polly Pocket, Doggie Day Care, Batman and Barbie ranges.