Beyoncé in L'Oreal skin tone row

L'Oreal is at the centre of controversy over an advert featuring Beyoncé Knowles that appears to lighten her complexion.

The cosmetics firm has been forced to deny that it changed the singer's skin tone in the promotional campaign for its Feria hair colour range.

In a statement to the Associated Press, the firm said: "We highly value our relationship with Ms. Knowles. It is categorically untrue that L'Oreal Paris altered Ms. Knowles's features or skin tone in the campaign for Feria hair colour."

The New York Post had earlier accused L'Oreal of doctoring the images to make Beyoncé appear as a "weird, nearly white version of herself".

Beyoncé has endorsed L'Oreal products since 2001.