Daimler is recalling 400,000 Mercedes-Benz cars in the UK over faulty airbags after reports that they had been prematurely deploying.

The recall will apply to A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class and CLA models built between November 2011 and July 2017.

Owners have been warned that if the red airbag warning light appears on the dashboard they should contact their dealer immediately. The affected cars are safe to drive under normal conditions, Mercedes said.

A Mercedes spokesperson told the BBC: "If the steering column module clock spring is broken and the wiring components are not sufficiently earthed, this could lead to an electrostatic discharge which could inadvertently deploy the driver's airbag."

The company said it would contact all customers whose cars may be affected and ask them to bring their vehicle in to be checked.

The recall is not related to the Takata exploding airbags scandal and Mercedes says the problem can be fixed in an hour, free of charge.