A line of safety gates have been recalled by Swedish furniture retailer Ikea following reports that children have fallen down stairs after they opened unexpectedly.

Ikea has urged anyone with a Patrull gate to stop using it "immediately" and return it for a full refund.

The company said customers had reported the safety gates opening unexpectedly and children falling down stairs.

Some of the incidents had required medical attention.

Ikea said a third-party investigation had shown the locking mechanism was not reliable, posing a risk for small children, "despite approved tests to applicable standards".

Maria Thorn, acting business area manager of Children's Ikea, said: "Whenever we are made aware of a possible safety issue with our products, we investigate thoroughly.

"We cannot accept that there could be a risk of injury while playing and as an immediate and precautionary action we have decided to recall all Patrull safety gates."

The gates are named the Patrull Klamma and the Patrull Fast.

Customers can return the gate to any Ikea store and do not need a receipt.

Ikea said it "apologises for any inconvenience this may cause".