A BREAKFAST cereal turned a family’s stomach when it was found to contain beetles and larvae.

The Simpson family were about to tuck into their morning meal when they noticed the bugs.

Dad Craig, 28, made the Asda Ready Oats cereal for his three-year-old daughter Lacey and son Oli, six.

Mr Simpson of Oban Road, Southend, had bought the cereal from Asda in North Shoebury Road, Shoebury. He said: “I microwaved it for two minutes then started to eat my breakfast. I got half way through, then noticed a small ant-sized bug. I prodded it with a spoon and saw what looked like legs. I scooped it out and had a closer look and could see it was definitely legs.

“I got a saucepan and tipped out the packet and saw more beetles and larvae. They were alive and moving about.

“I stopped my daughter eating it and then we took the whole thing back to the store. They apologised and refunded the cost.

Mr Simpson had just returned from honeymooning in Lanzarote with his wife Katie, 26, when he made the discovery.

He added: “Asda said it is contacting its suppliers to find out what happened. Apparently they are red beetles that live in flour, wheat and oats. It hasn’t put me off cereal but I certainly won’t be eating any more oats. It’s horrible because Lacey was tasting some of my porridge. The kids both like insects, but not in their food.”

Jo Newbould, public relations manager for Asda said: “We are now investigating the matter with our supplier.”