An advertisement for ski helmets has been banned for using a picture of late actress Natasha Richardson, who died earlier this year following an accident on the slopes.

Richardson, who was married to Liam Neeson, passed away from a traumatic brain injury on March 18, two days after she took a tumble on Mont Tremblant in Montreal.

And helmet manufactures skiwear4less.com have been heavily criticized for using images of the star in their latest advertising campaign.

The email promo showed a picture of Richardson with a message urging skiers to wear protective headgear on the slopes to prevent further tragedies.

Executives at Britain's Advertising Standards Authority have rapped company bosses for the ad and banned it from further use.

The watchdog ruled, "Reporting the actress' death in such a manner, and in such detail to sell ski helmets was likely to be seen as insensitive and likely to cause serious offense to some. The email breached the Code. It must not be used again."

Natasha Richardson Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)