February 20, 2009
A Shropshire family found a lizard on a piece of broccoli - and adopted it as a pet.
Paula Walsh came across the four-inch gecko on the vegetable as her daughter prepared lunch, reports the Daily Telegraph.
She and partner Jez Allen, from Meole Brace, near Shrewsbury, said the family had become very attached to the creature, which they have named Tenko.
"My daughter had been cutting the broccoli for lunch when she screamed, 'Mum come quick, come quick - there's something crawling in the broccoli', I pulled gently and out he came," she said.
A spokesman for Tesco said: "We are glad that Tenko has found a good home after what must have been quite a journey and something of an ordeal.
"Our suppliers of course have rigorous and thorough processes, both in the country of origin and again once the goods have arrived here in the UK.
"This truly goes to show that even with all the expertise, checks and will in the world, it is not always possible to completely legislate for the natural world."
