An organic sandwich ended up costing a staggering 3,000 pounds after a woman bit into it and chewed on a stone leaving her facing months of dental work.

Karen Addy, 48, bought the wholemeal snack for 2.20 pounds from Boots and was tucking into it when she felt a sudden crunch and found a small pebble in amongst the healthy salad filling.

The bite led to an abscess, a prescription for painkillers and antibiotics, her tooth being removed and difficulty eating before she finally had four dental procedures over the past five months.

Her stressful ordeal began when she bought the carrot, hummus, rocket and alfalfa sandwich made by Fresh Naturally Organic in November 2006.

After starting a civil case, her team from firm Russell Jones and Walker thrashed out negotiations with the company from the summer of 2008 until they agreed to pay for her treatment in January this year. Compensation has yet to be agreed.

A company spokesman for Fresh Naturally Organic said: “We are very sorry that this incident occurred and it is not a normal occurrence."