HORSE DNA has been found in a number of products served by hospitality company Whitbread, which runs several establishments in South Gloucestershire.

The firm said horsemeat has been detected in its beef lasagnes and burgers.

The dishes have been sold at its restaurants including Brewers Fayres, Beefeater Grills and within the firm’s Premier Inn hotels.

Across the region there are numerous Brewers Fayre pubs in Bristol, a Beefeater Grill on Westerleigh Road in Emersons Green and Premier Inn hotels at Alveston, Cribbs Causeway, Filton and Emersons Green.

Whitbread, one of the largest hotel and restaurant companies in the country, is expected to publish a full list of test results shortly.

The findings come as more and more tests reveal horsemeat has been sold through various outlets including several national supermarket chains, schools and hospitals.

The government has held emergency meetings with food industry bosses to try and end the crisis.