BEEF burgers have been removed from North Lanarkshire school meals after traces of horse DNA were discovered in a frozen burger.

The council has notified the Food Standards Agency after the product used in school kitchens tested positive for traces of horse meat.

A spokesman said stocks of the beef burgers, which come from catering food supplier Brakes, were removed from menus as a "precaution".

The council said their investigations are focusing on the use of frozen burgers supplied during the past three months, the maximum time these would be held in storage.

The spokesman added: "We are working closely with the FSA and Scotland Excel [the local government procurement centre] and will continue to take any action necessary to ensure the integrity of foods used in our establishments."

The shock announcement came as Renfrewshire Council removed some meat products from school kitchens and other catering premises until investigations into horse meat tests are complete.

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times, the council said it was taking the step as a "precaution" after one of its suppliers recalled lasagne produced for another customer in order to test it for horse DNA.

No horse meat has been discovered in products supplied to the council.

A spokesman said: "As a precautionary measure, we removed Brakes Group beef products based on a positive test for horse meat DNA in one of the company's products."

In a statement, Brakes said: "We have been informed of a positive test by the FSA, but at the moment it is not known who supplied the burger.

"We supply Scotland Excel, so, as a precaution, until we are able to ascertain the facts, we will be placing the burger on hold.

"We will be working with the FSA to identify what has happened as a matter or urgency.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause."