A dairy firm has acted immediately after a mother claimed her two-year-old almost choked on a fingernail in a yoghurt.

Mum Donna Walkerdine spoke of the horror of seeing toddler Thomas splutter on the fingernail as he ate his pudding.

Now manufacturers St Ivel have promised to investigate her complaint as soon as they see the evidence.

Donna Walkerdine, 24, claims if she had not been in the room, Thomas could have died.

The mum-of-two said the toddler had been eating a strawberry Teletubby yoghurt when he started making gagging noises.

Donna, of Basildon, said: "I thought he was having a convulsion. As I rushed across to him I realised he was choking."

A St Ivel spokesman asked Mrs Walkerdine to send in the nail and empty pot so company scientists could confirm the claims.

She said: "We will deal with her complaint straight away."

Grim find - Thomas and, right, the fingernail which he allegedly found in a yoghurt

Pictures: NICK ANSELL

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