DRUGS have been found among Jelly Tots at the Nestle factory in Newcastle.

The unidentified pink tablets were found by staff on the production line at the factory based in the Fawdon area of the city.

As soon as the pills were spotted production stopped and the store room containing the sweets was locked.

Nestle said the ‘common prescription tablets’ were found before the Jelly Tots were packaged.

Northumbria Police have confirmed they are investigating the matter after management at the plant reported a batch of confectionery had been contaminated.

Police seized sweets from a store at the plant as evidence and Nestle staff are currently working with police in the investigation.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Police are carrying out enquiries after a batch of confectionary was found to be contaminated at Nestle UK in Fawdon.”

The Nestle plant on Rowan Drive in Newcastle opened in 1958 and is the company's second largest factory in the UK after York. It employs more than 400 members of staff and produces well-known Rowntrees sweets such as Fruit Pastilles as well as Nestlé chocolate and biscuits such as Rolo, Yorkie and Blue Riband.

A spokesperson for Nestlé said: "We can confirm that there was an incident at our factory in Fawdon, Newcastle last week.

"The incident was immediately contained, the police were asked to investigate and we are working with them.

"It would not be appropriate for us to make any further comment until they have completed their investigation.

"The incident involved the discovery, in product prior to packing, of a standard prescription tablet, commonly prescribed to both adults and children.

"We can confirm that due to our rigorous quality procedures and immediate action, the incident was isolated and contained within our control.

"Our consumers and customers can be assured that all our products are completely safe."