PREGNANT women were today warned about the dangers of a morning sickness remedy found to contain high levels of lead.

Lancashire Trading Standards bosses issued the alert after the Food Standards Agency advised people not to eat a product commonly known as Calabash chalk.

The agency is taking immediate action to remove the product from sale.

County Councillor Tim Ormrod, cabinet member for public protection, said: "Exposure to high levels of lead poses a risk to the mental development of the unborn baby and breastfed infant."

Calabash chalk is sometimes known as La Craie, Argile, Nzu, Mabele or Calabar Stone but is not a conventional food. It is eaten by some pregnant women, traditionally those from the Nigerian and wider West African community, as a remedy for morning sickness.

The FSA was made aware of the problem by the London Borough of Greenwich after results of local sampling found high levels of lead.

The chalk can be bought in the form of blocks, pellets and powders.

Anyone who has been eating Calabash chalk and is concerned about their health or would like advice on other remedies for morning sickness should contact their GP or health visitor.