School caterers say they are horsemeat 'victims' too

Horsemeat has been found in cottage pies supplied to 47 schools in Lancashire - they have been withdrawn.

Anne Bull, chair of the Local Authority Caterers' Association, told the BBC: "We have got stringent and robust procurement procedures in place for local authority-maintained schools.

"Lancashire have got some minute traces of equine DNA in their cottage pies. These have been withdrawn with immediate effect so there is no risk to the children at the moment," she added.

She said school caterers were victims in the scandal too as they expected "what it says on the tin".

Ms Bull added that the next 10 days were likely to be "critical" as test results come through from the FSA.