Lynn, 40, was horrified when she checked her Tesco account and discovered her ClubCard had been used to purchase the pack of 12 contraceptives.

She immediately suspected partner of four years Andy Allott of having an affair and despite his denials threatened to end their relationship and cancel a dream holiday in Mexico.

Lynn, from Brampton Bierlow, near Rotherham, even rang her 65-year old mum to ask if she knew what was going on.

But now Tesco has admitted it made a mistake, and Lynn has received a personal letter of apology and a £100 cheque from company boss Sir Terry Leahy.

The box of Mates showed up at the top of a list of Lynn's recent purchases made with the supermarket chain's loyalty card.

She said: "I couldn't believe what I saw when I logged onto my Tesco account. It gives a list of everything bought on a ClubCard and there at the top of the list was a packet of Mates condoms.

"I knew I hadn't bought them so I went in and accused Andy, who had no idea what I was talking about. By the next morning there was a terrible atmosphere between us and we just avoided each other.

"I was so uptight and upset I rang my mother, asking her if she had bought any condoms. It was completely ridiculous. Despite his denials I still didn't believe Andy and we almost cancelled our holiday because of it."

When Lynn next checked her online account she found the condoms had been removed.

Then a colleague rang to say she had found pack of condoms on her Tesco shopping list and so had a member of the supermarket's staff.

Following an investigation Tesco bosses said the problem was caused by a new employee who input a promotion incorrectly. Sir Terry wrote: "This error was completely unacceptable. Staff are now being given extra training."

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