A MUM returned from a shopping trip to find a rusty blade in her toddler's shoebox.

Gillian Gillen bought daughter Katie shoes from Clarks - a brand she says she trusted.

As soon as she got home her husband Michael opened the box to discover a Stanley blade tucked in with the two-year-old's shoes.

Teacher Gillian said: "My wee girl wanted them out to try on.

"I don't want to think what might have happened had she got a hold of that blade. Her brother Christopher is only five months. It doesn't bear thinking about."

The rusting blade is roughly six inches long and has hazard tape wrapped round one end.

The family believe it may have been packed in the box before it reached the store in Mothercare, Kingsgate Retail Park, East Kilbride.

But they are stunned staff failed to notice it.

Clarks say they have offered Gillian a refund and an apology but the mum, from Blantyre, wants a reassurance similar incidents won't happen again.

The 30-year-old added: "I want to know they're addressing their policy to make sure nothing like this occurs again."

A spokesman for Clarks said: "We can only assume the blade was placed in the box when it was packed."