Amazon Echo owners have been issued a security warning after a number in America automatically ordered dolls houses being discussed on a TV show. The high-tech gadgets have become a recent and welcome addition to hundreds of thousands of UK homes, after being one of the most popular Christmas presents last year.

They let owners ask virtual assistant "Alexa" to carry out tasks, including buying items from the internet, using just their voice as a command. But a recent incident involving the gadgets has shown how they are vulnerable to mistakes which could cost owners dearly.

Earlier this week a San Diego TV station sparked complaints after an on-air report about a girl who ordered a dollhouse via her parents' Amazon Echo caused Echoes in viewers' homes to also attempt to order dollhouses.

As voice-command purchasing is enabled as a default on the Alexa devices, viewers found they had mistaken the show for their command and made the purchase.