Hackers who attacked a clothing firm's website in January have stolen the credit card details of up to 38,000 customers, it has emerged.

The firm, Cotton Traders, said that it referred the issue to Barclaycard and called in industry security experts to resolve the problem.

According to ConsumerChoices.co.uk Apacs, the payment industry's trade body, is "extremely concerned" by the security breach.

However, in a statement Cotton Traders said: "We would like to reassure all our customers that their data is secure and that the Cotton Traders website meets all leading industry security standards."

Apacs has stated that a specialist police team is working on the case and that anyone concerned about the attack should speak to their card provider.

The Independent reported earlier in the year that consumer group Which? conducted a survey which revealed that UK residents are not being careful enough regarding the security of debit and credit cards.