AN investigation has been launched after a women claimed to have found glass in two separate jars of coffee.

Ann Simpson, of Carr Road, Darwen, reported the incident to Blackburn with Darwen Council last week and is waiting to hear the outcome of their investigation.

She has submitted statements and said she was willing to go to court if necessary.

She bought the two jars of Kenco Rappor coffee from a Darwen store. Mrs Simpson claims she found a large shard of glass in one jar, and then numerous tiny particles of glass in the second after pouring the contents of the jar into a sieve.

Kenco offered to collect the jars to conduct their own investigation but she decided to take them to the council.

Kraft Foods, the maker of Kenco, has since sent her £4 in vouchers as an apology.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman confirmed the sample had been passed to the county analyst. Kraft Foods has been informed.

The analyst has also requested six samples from the shop concerned. However, they say the alleged contamination is thought to be isolated.

Miss Simpson said: "There were lots of little shards in one of the jars, and a big piece in the other. I bought the jars last week. I didn't open them because I had another left. "I opened one last week that had a shard of glass sitting on the top and I thought it cannot do me any harm if I took it out, it sounds silly but I didn't think anymore of it, after checking the rest of that jar.

"Then I opened the other one, poured a brew and noticed lots of shards of glass. At first I thought they were sugar and I stirred it, trying to break them up. But when I put in my finger to pull some out I released they were glass particles as they felt sharp to the touch.

"I sieved the rest of the jar and found there were lots of shards in it. What if I had of drunk it? I have received £4 voucher for the coffee. They said they were sorry for the distress it had caused."

A Kenco spokesman said: "We will co-operate fully with the investigation and review the situation when they come back to us. The lady contacted our customer care line and we offered for a courier to collect the coffee to conduct our own investigation.

"But when the courier arrived she said it wasn't convenient. We then heard she had taken it to the environmental health department, which she is entitled to do. The product isn't in our hands so we haven't be able to conduct our our investigation. We take any complaint seriously."