A TOY company has launched an investigation into a complaint that a four-year-old boy discovered a beetle in his play dough.

Dion Clements was given a Matchbox toy fire engine set with Fun Dough for his birthday, and found the 2cms-long dead bug inside one of the tubs.

His mother Emma, 21, said: "Dion was pretty frightened by it because he doesn't like insects.

"He screamed and was in hysterics when he saw it. It was only small, but I was worried it might be poisonous. Children shouldn't, but they do put all sorts in their mouths.

"I want to know how this happened and want them to make sure something is done to stop it happening again."

Emma and her partner Jack, 23, held the birthday party at their home in Dickens Street, Audley Range, Blackburn, for Dion and his friends from St Alban's Nursery, at Daisyfield.

A spokesman for Mattel, which owns Matchbox, said they had asked for the product to be returned for analysis and that a replacement toy would be sent to Dion.

Dion's family are unsure where the gift was purchased because Dion ripped the labels off all his presents at once, so they do not know who bought it.

The set included a fire engine which produces different shapes when the substance is pushed through the top.

The kit included three different coloured tubs of Fun Dough and the red tub included the beetle.

A spokesman for Mattel said: "We are grateful that this lady has brought this to our attention.

"As this is the only complaint of this nature, we have asked for the product to be returned so we can investigate.

"A replacement product will be sent to the family."