AN outraged mother today told how she felt physically sick when her two-year-old daughter found a wasp in a biscuit.

Joanne Hammond's daughter Ellis, found the insect in an own-brand chocolate digestive bought from Asda's Accrington Store, in Hyndburn Road.

Store bosses today apologised for the incident and confirmed they had sent the family gift's to compensate for what had happened.

The mother-of-two had given Ellis and eight-year-old brother, Ryan, the biscuits as a treat after tea and had just eaten one herself when her daughter started examining hers.

"I put the first one in my mouth then I gave one to Ellis and one to Ryan," said Joanne.

"They walked off and Ellis started to poke at it. Ryan realised what it was and started shouting 'there's a wasp in it.' It really had been baked into it.

"It was quite a big one with the wings intact.

"I felt sick, I had eaten the one before it and I thought I hope its brother or sister wasn't in mine.

"It was horrific and I'm glad she hadn't eaten it."

Mrs Hammond packaged the biscuit and sent it by first class post to Asda's headquarters in Leeds for analysis after the incident three weeks ago.

But said when she inquired about it she was told it hadn't arrived.

"When we rang up to find out what was happening they said it's not here what do you want us to do about it.

"I was told the biscuit was baked first, and checked, then covered in chocolate so it's actually missed two inspections.

"Somebody could have eaten that. It's just that my son has got eagle eyes and looked at it.

"I definitely won't be eating them again. We have all gone off chocolate digestives."

A spokesman for Asda confirmed there had been a wasp in the biscuit and that they were investigating the incident with their supplier.

"It's true we are carrying out an investigation to see how it happened. The supplier is involved in the investigation -- it makes sense for everyone in the chain to talk to us so we all share the learning," she said.

"We absolutely apologise for any distress caused to little Ellis and we are asking the store to give Mrs Hammond some vouchers to compensate, and a present to Ellis to cheer her up a little bit, because it's very distressing.

"It's incredibly rare and we will be doing everything we can to find out how it happened and make sure it never happens again."

There had been a short delay because the biscuit had been locked in someone's drawer while they were on unexpected leave, she added.

Mrs Hammond said the company had sent vouchers worth £20 to both Ellis and Ryan, and apologised for the delay in dealing with the matter.