AN UNLUCKY nut-lover got a nasty surprise when she peeled open a Tesco pistachio and found a dead maggot inside.

Suzanne Taylor was horrified to find the bug's dried corpse still imbedded in the flesh of the salty snack, which she had been about to put in her mouth.

The 33 year-old has vowed never to eat a pistachio from Tesco again after making the gruesome discovery - which was found in a pack bought from the supermarket's Epping branch.

She said: "This has put me off pistachios for the time being at least.

"It was certainly a bit unexpected to see a dried up maggot staring back at you when you peel a nut.

"I was just sitting there watching the TV and chucking them in my mouth, and it's only by chance that I took a look and saw it."

She said: "To be fair, this is the first time I've ever found anything like this since I've been shopping there, but it was pretty disgusting."

Ms Taylor, of Upper Walthamstow Road, Walthamstow, warned other nut lovers to be vigilant when tucking in to their favourite treats.

She said: "People definitely need to keep an eye on what they are doing, because I could easily have eaten the maggot without realising.

"I've been eating pistachios and other nuts for years so God knows how many bugs were in those."

Tesco has yet to comment.