Twiggy's Olay advert branded misleading

London: According to the advertisement featuring a smiling Twiggy: "Olay is my secret to brighter-looking eyes."

Sadly, for those encouraged to try the same anti-ageing cream as the 60-year-old model, there was also another secret — some hidden help from the airbrush.

The advert has been criticised by watchdogs for giving a false impression of the benefits of Olay Regenerist Definity eye illuminator.

Text in the magazine advert said: "Because younger-looking eyes never go out of fashion. Olay Definity eye illuminator. Reduces the look of wrinkles and dark circles for brighter, younger-looking eyes."

However, the picture had been airbrushed to soften the wrinkles around Twiggy's eyes. Critics said they could not believe the image was genuine, particularly when set against other photos of the model.

The advertisement triggered more than 700 complaints, led by UK Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson, who has called for the banning of airbrushing in advertising. She said: "If advertisers think that someone as beautiful as Twiggy needs to be so heavily airbrushed, then what hope is there for the rest of us?"

The Advertising Standards Authority says in a ruling: "The post-production retouching of this ad, specifically in the eye area, could give consumers a misleading impression of the effect the product could achieve."

Procter & Gamble, which makes Olay, said the "minor retouching" had been inconsistent with its policies and it had already replaced the image.