Dairy Crest has ordered the popular spread be removed from supermarket shelves and asked consumers to return tubs sitting in their fridges.

It ordered the drastic action after 17 people complained of feeling sick after eating the spread.

The company fears several hundred tubs have been accidentally mixed with a mould most commonly found in blue cheese such as Stilton.

On Saturday, a spokesman for the company said: "As a responsible manufacturer we are recalling all tubs. It's impossible to know exactly what the number of tubs affected is."

He added: "Some mould got into the manufacturing process and into the product which has led to this situation where the product goes off before the end of the shelf life.

"When people are biting in Clover, they are getting a sometimes strong and sometimes unpleasant blue cheese flavour."

The company, which expects the recall to cost up to £1 million, has ceased production at its Shropshire factory until it irons out the problem and apologised to any consumer who has been affected.

However, the spokesman said the factory does not produce blue cheese and it was unknown where the mould originated from.

All sizes of tubs are affected as well as all best before dates up to August 10 inclusive. Customers have been advised to dispose of the contents and keep the lid to claim a refund.