A Tooting shopkeeper has been fined more than £24,000 for selling toxic cosmetics containing a banned substance linked with cancer.

Wasim Rabbani, of Sabina Hair and Cosmetics in Mitcham Road, was caught selling dozens of different skin-lightening' face creams and steroid-based skin creams during a raid by trading standards at his shop in May last year.

The skin-lightening creams contained the banned substance hydroquinone, thought to be carcinogenic.

The powerful chemical is used in photo processing and the manufacture of rubber and can cause severe skin irritation.

The steroid based creams, touted as a 'miracle' cure for conditions such as eczema and acne, are thought to have very serious long-term health implications.

Almost all the products were being stored underneath the counter and were not on display - indicating that Mr Rabbani was aware their sale was illegal.

Les Eames, Wandsworth's chief trading standards officer, said: "We recovered almost 200 different products from this shop that could have had very serious consequences for the health of consumers.

"It is illegal to offer these hydroquinone and steroid based creams to the public because they are so hazardous.

"Unfortunately, there is a market out there for these types of products and it is this market that Mr Rabbani and others are seeking to cash in on, regardless of the well-known health risks their customers face."

Magistrates were told Mr Rabbani and his company were also convicted in 2005 of similar offences involving the supply of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone.

He and his company Sabina Hair and Cosmetics (Tooting) Ltd, each admitted seven offences under the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations and the Medicines Act.

They were fined a total of £24,400 and ordered to pay the council's costs of £2,500.

Anyone with information on the sale of illegal skins creams can call trading standards on 020 8871 7720.