Man takes bite of 'lizard sandwich'

An Italian man has criticised low standards of hygiene after finding a dead lizard in his cheese and tomato sandwich.

Giuseppe Ferri was given the all-clear at Maceretta hospital in central Italy after he unknowingly took a bite out of the reptile, Ananova reports.

Ferri said: "I bit into what was supposed to be a cheese and tomato sandwich and was surprised when I tasted something a bit meaty and chewy.

"I looked down and saw a lizard tail sticking out of the side of the sandwich. I opened it up and saw the dead animal and nearly passed out. It was so disgusting I felt sick."

He added that it was "outrageous" that the incident could occur in a hospital.

Caterers said that the lizard had fallen into machinery at the factory which makes the sandwiches for the local health authority.