Mould was found growing among children’s food in a Swindon Asda by a customer.

After reporting the “unacceptable” growths beneath the children’s yoghurt on Saturday, September 21, Maria Bolton returned two days later to find the mould still there.

She says standards have started slipping at her local Asda, in West Swindon.

(Image: Maria Bolton)

Maria, 38, said: “It would make your stomach turn if it was any food but I think when it's children's yoghurts, it's just completely unacceptable.

“I've just never seen something like that in a supermarket.”

The mum of a four and two-year-old showed the store manager who admitted it was unacceptable, only for it to still be when she returned two days later.(Image: Maria Bolton)

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Maria said: “It’s even more disappointing when I've flagged it and then nothing's been done at all to action it. I just think that's really, really disappointing.”

This comes after another of the town's stores, in the North Swindon Orbital Shopping Centre, has had its struggles with hygiene, recovering from a zero-rated food hygiene inspection.

After receiving the lowest possible score, an Asda spokesperson vowed to “immediately” improve conditions and soon after got bumped up to a three.(Image: Maria Bolton)

Both the Orbital and the West Swindon branches now have ratings of five, but Maria thought this history would make the stores “extra cautious”.

The Advertiser understands that the shelves have since been cleaned. 

An Asda spokesperson said: “The cleanliness of our stores is a top priority, and we have rigorous processes in place to ensure that all of our stores are clean and tidy. 

“We’re disappointed to receive this feedback and to see these images, which do not reflect the high standards that we set ourselves. 

“We would ask customers to speak to a colleague if they have any concerns about their shopping experience, so that it can be looked into and promptly resolved.”(Image: Maria Bolton)

The general state of Swindon Asda branches was raised in a letter from staff at the Orbital branch to management.

As well as chronic understaffing and missed paychecks, staff described a “very poor state of repair” with roof leaks in the canteen and shop floor.

An Asda spokesperson responded to that investment into the business was being made.

It comes after the GMB union described Asda as being in a 'fight for survival' in August after the retailer's share of the take-home grocery market fell to 12.6 per cent - its lowest for at least 13 years.