Stunned Audrey Miller told today how she nearly swallowed a beetle while drinking a can of Coke.

Mrs Miller was sipping the can of Coca-Cola at home when she realised the fizz had gone from her drink.

She then realised something was in her mouth and discovered an insect which looked like a beetle.

Mrs Miller, 42, of Nayland Drive, Clacton, said: "I was sitting on the settee drinking a can of Coke and I felt something in my mouth. I wiped my finger along my mouth and a beetle came out. I was just disgusted."

Her husband John said: "She had a couple of mouthfuls and then all of a sudden she spat something out into her hand."

He said he did not know what the insect was. After finding the insect on Monday, Mrs Miller phoned a representative of Coca-Cola who told her to keep the can and the offending insect.

A spokeswoman for Coca-Cola and Schweppes said: "Coca-Cola and Schweppes takes matters of this nature extremely seriously.

"We regret the distress experienced by Mrs Miller and will be visiting her tomorrow to discuss the incident. Until we have carried out a full investigation, we are unable to comment further."

Nasty surprise - Audrey Miller, who nearly swallowed a beetle while drinking a can of Coke.

Pictures: TERRY WEEDEN

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.