Uma Thurman is countersuing cosmetics company Lancome for using her face and name in their advertisements after her contract with them expired.

The Kill Bill star alleges Lancome boosting its "prestige, stature and bargaining power" by using her image on Asian websites and Canadian billboards after her contract had expired in September 2004.

Her move is in response to the firm taking legal action on Wednesday, filing legal papers denying breach of contract and asking the judge to dismiss Thurman's original claim for $1 million (£512,000).

Thurman's lawyer Bertram Fields says: "Celebrities will now be careful about doing deals with Lancome. They continued to use her photographs long after the contract was over."