A woman said she was horrified after finding “green and fluffy” mould growing on venison burgers bought from Asda.

Debra Horne had been planning a special dinner for boyfriend Calvin Dominic, after moving into a new home in St Andrew’s Close, Folkestone.

But her plans fell through following the discovery, and Calvin returned from work after a 14-hour shift as a groundsman in London, to find Debra was feeling ill.

Miss Horne, 44, had peeled back the plastic film from Asda’s premium burger range only to discover mould lurking underneath the ‘extra special’ banner on the packaging.

She had purchased the meat from the Asda superstore in Kimberley Way, Ashford, on Friday night and it was still in date when she went to prepare it for her boyfriend’s meal on Wednesday.

Miss Horne, who has just moved to Folkestone from Clover Close in Ashford, said: “I was horrified when I opened the burgers and saw green and fluffy mould growing all over them and I didn’t understand how it got there as the packaging wasn’t broken and they were in date.

“I didn’t see the mould when I bought the burgers because it was hidden under the ‘extra special’ writing on the packaging.

“It was so awful that I was actually physically sick after opening the packet.”

But Miss Horne, who is unemployed due to health reasons, claims her complaints to Asda were not listened to. She said: “I was very upset and distressed about it and when I contacted the store all I was told was to bring the burgers back and that they would be replaced.

“But that’s not the point because I want to know how the mould got there as it’s dangerous. I don’t have kids but can you imagine what would happen if mouldy meat was fed to children?”

Miss Horne added: “When I rang Asda I kept getting through to the wrong department, or the line went dead. They didn’t seem interested about why the burgers were mouldy when they were still in date and there no goodwill gesture offered.

“After everything that happened Calvin did not get dinner and all he had to eat was a couple of bacon sandwiches before going to bed early and starting his shift in London the next day at 4am.”

Asda spokesman Lauren Pell said: “At Asda we pride ourselves on being able to offer the highest quality products possible. We’re sorry for any upset and inconvenience caused to Miss Horne and her family.”