STAFF at a lab in Worcester carrying out tests for horsemeat are working extra hours and at weekends to deal with increased demand – but have had no positive results in samples from the county.

Worcestershire County Council’s Scientific Services, based at a lab in Wainwright Road, Warndon, has analysed almost 1,000 samples since the scandal began, from a mixture of businesses and local authorities.

The figure represents about a quarter of the number seen during a normal year by the organisation, which is funded through small grants from the council combined with fees from commercial clients.

Staff have been working extended days and at weekends to meet the demand, which stretches from Herefordshire to Sussex and Avon to north Yorkshire, testing virtually any product containing meat.

Paul Hancock, the county council’s public analyst and scientific adviser, said less than one per cent have tested positive – with none in Worcestershire.

“The positives we have had have been low level – contamination rather than deliberate adulteration,” he said.

“With a thing like this, it is difficult to manage such a tranche of work, but my team are working brilliantly. They deserve every credit for the work they are doing.”

He is unsure how long the scandal will develop, with testing widening to include products including meats like pork and chicken.

Mr Hancock said: “As more and more things get found, it extends the testing regime, so it is difficult to say when this is going to end. I expect there to be a legacy from this.”

If positive samples are found, Mr Hancock said the lab would work with Worcestershire Regulatory Services to get the products removed from sale.

This follows last month’s announcement that no traces of horsemeat were found during initial tests on school meals in the county.

The tests were carried out as a precautionary measure after a cottage pie, which tested positive for horsemeat, was delivered to schools in Lancashire.