A FAMILY were caught on the hop when they discovered a live frog in their bag of salad.

A FAMILY were caught on the hop when they discovered a live frog in their bag of salad.

The two-inch amphibian was saved from the chomp after Kirsty McCloud spotted him on her plate while she was tucking in to her meal.

An edible marsh frog native to continental Europe, but not found in Britain, it managed to survive in a sealed bag of Italian salad leaves at Asda in South Woodham Ferrers.

Mrs McCloud, 34, a teaching assistant, who bought the bag of lettuce last Wednesday, said the unwanted visitor had put her off packet salad for life.

The mother-of-two from Maldon said: “I only noticed it when I was just about to poke it with my fork.

“I jumped right up and so did my husband. My daughters Lauren and Hannah thought it was a great laugh.

“I didn't know what to do so I just put it in a Tupperware box. I rang Asda and they said they would give us a refund but they said as far as the frog was concerned that was up to me.”

Mrs McCloud and her husband Darren, 41, an accountant, took the frog to the Dangerous and Wild Animal Rescue Facility in Great Wakering, where it will now be looked after.

Owner Iain Newby said: “They did the right thing. Releasing a non-indigenous species into the wild is a criminal offence which can attract a hefty fine. The frog is young and half-grown, it is usually bred for the food trade.”

Ed Watson, spokesman for Asda, said: “We understand the customer may be hopping mad and we agree Kermit and cos lettuce don't make the ideal recipe. Of course we apologise for this frog which hitched a ride.”

Mrs McCloud added: “It was a bit of a shock. I'll never, never buy another packet of salad.”