AN ordinary trip to the grocers went pear-shaped for one family from Times Territory this week. Or should that be banana-shaped? For after returning from their local convenience store, the O Keefe family were surprised to discover

AN ordinary trip to the grocers went pear-shaped for one family from Times Territory this week.

Or should that be banana-shaped?

For after returning from their local convenience store, the O'Keefe family were surprised to discover a sac of spider's eggs attached to a bunch of bananas.

The deposit was discovered by 11-year old daughter Lauren, after mum Sarah had returned with the fruit from the Co-operative store in Homestead Road, Hatfield.

Sarah, from Broadacres, Hatfield, said: "I'm not sure who checks their fruit for that sort of thing.

"It wasn't visible to me [when I bought them], so maybe it wasn't visible to them.

"They should have someone check the fruit [before selling it]."

The family took the bananas to a local vet, who identified the cluster as spider's eggs. They have since reported the incident to Welwyn Hatfield Council's environmental health officers.

A spokesman for the Co-operative group said: "As a responsible retailer, we are sorry to hear about this customer's complaint and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We are launching our own investigation into the matter and will be in touch with the family to explain our findings. We have not received any other complaints about this product but both the supplier and our technical department are aware of the matter and all necessary follow-up action will be taken.

"We would like to reassure our customers that the utmost care is taken at all stages in the preparation and distribution of all our products and any complaint is treated very seriously.