HORRIFIED students have claimed they discovered dead ants in their school meals.

Pupils at Beardwood High School, Blackburn, say they found the insects in their beans while eating their lunch.

But the children had eaten most of the beans when they saw the dead creatures in the food.

Five pupils complained to the catering staff, who gave them a refund, then school bosses immediately shut down the kitchen and dining areas.

Pest controllers were called and a deep clean was also carried out.

Headteacher Ruby Hussain stressed the incident was a ‘one-off’ and there was no risk to students’ health.

She said catering staff had reported to her that ‘black bits’ had been discovered in the food, which were being investigated.

Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed it was investigating an incident involving ants at the school.

Mrs Hussain added the school took the health and safety of pupils very seriously, so much so that internal inspections were carried out every day and the school had passed an external one three weeks ago.

A fruit juice carton from a pallet, which had leaked and left sticky residue on the packing, is thought to have attracted the insects on Wednesday.

It is understood the ants would have had the opportunity to get into the beans when they were opened and left to one side, with a tray over them.

The beans were then put into a steamer to warm them up ready for lunchtime service.

No children were ill or sent home sick.

A student, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The beans were there for the whole school to eat, I saw some dead ants in mine and I felt sick, there was lots of them.

"I was surprised, I didn’t know what they were at first.

Another said: “My brother ate the beans, I think it is sickening that they were in the food. I was amazed it was in the food. ”

Mrs Hussain added: “We really encourage our children to come to us and tell us if they are ever unhappy in school and that’s what they did.

'We do take health and safety very seriously. If there is any issues we tackle them very quickly.

“ It was a one-off incident and all health and safety checks are in place and I feel reassured by this as the head of the school.”

Assistant headteacher Janet Donnelly, who is in charge of health and safety, said: “Five children complained to the dinner ladies and were given a full refund.

"As soon as they were made aware that there were black bits in the beans, the dining room was closed down and a thorough and deep clean of the area, kitchen and store cupboards was carried out.

Christopher Allen, head of public protection for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The environmental health office was notified of the problem with ants earlier this week and has been advising the school on their food handling procedures.

“The officer is satisfied that the appropriate action to clean and disinfect the food areas has taken place and pest control measures implemented.

“Providing these are adhered to there should be no further problems of this sort.

“The recent warmer weather could be a contributing factor to the earlier than usual occurrence of ants so I have advised the school to remain vigilant to ensure there is no recurrence of the complaint.”