A MOTHER today claimed her first aid training saved her baby's life after he choked on an apple stalk in a jar of baby food.

Seven-month old Jamie Bell, of Laurel Avenue, Darwen, was eating a Boots Spiced Apple dessert, when he started to choke.

But his quick-thinking mother, Janet, managed to put him across her knee and hit him on the back to dislodge the stalk.

Today Mrs Bell called for the jars to be taken off the shelves, but the company denied there was a "widespread problem".

Mrs Bell bought the jar Boots, Market Street, Blackburn.

She said: "It is absolutely disgusting. You don't expect to find something like that in a baby food, especially when it is the own brand of a company like Boots.

"Luckily I know about first aid because I went on a course, but other people might not be so lucky. He started going blue. I put him across my knee and gave him a few sharp taps on his back and he coughed up the stalk.

"Jamie is still very upset, and both me and my husband Martin are still shaken up. "It's frightening to think what might have happened, and I am worried this could happen to somebody else.

"I have the jar and the stalk, and there is no doubt where it came from."

Mrs Bell has complained to Boots and told trading standards officers, who have collected the jar and its contents.

A Boots spokeswoman said: "We are very sorry for the undoubted distress and concern caused to Mrs Bell and her baby as a result of the problem she experienced with a jar of Boots baby food.

"We take matters of this nature very seriously, however we are confident there is not a widespread problem.

"We understand Mrs Bell has reported the incident to trading standards and obviously we will co-operate fully with them on this matter so an investigation can take place.

"Boots baby food products are all manufactured on our behalf by reputable suppliers who are required to meet our high standards at all times and are frequently subjected to detailed audits by our food technologists.

"Our customer service department is in contact with Mrs Bell and when further information is available we will contact her immediately."

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