The first hijab-wearing model to appear in a L'Oreal haircare campaign has pulled out after controversy surrounding a series of anti-Israel tweets.

Amena Khan's appearance in the brand's latest advertisement for its Elvive haircare line was said to challenge traditional hair advertising as she was photographed wearing a hijab.

She made the posts, including one that described Israel as an "illegal state" and another referring to the country as a "child murderer" in 2014, but they were unearthed when she recently shot to fame.

In a statement she said she "deeply regrets" what she said and apologised for the "upset and hurt that they have caused".

The tweets have now been deleted. In one post she said:"U repeatedly say "nobody is above the law". Well, under international law, Israel is an illegal state. Yet u support them. EXPLAIN #AskDavid'."

Another says: 'Israel = Pharoah. Both are child murderers. Insha'Allah, defeat also awaits the former; it's only a matter of time. #HopeForGaza #SaveGaza'.

And in a third post directed at Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow, she wrote: 'Your "children of Gaza" piece was incredibly moving. Israel is a sinister state & the one who suffer most are innocent children'."

She said: "I deeply regret the content of the tweets I made in 2014, and sincerely apologise for the upset and and hurt that they have caused.