A Mauritian fast-food joint has been closed after a shocking mouse infestation and some of the poorest hygiene standards ever witnessed by inspectors were discovered during a visit.

Village Food Court in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, was found to have mouse droppings on countertops and its first-aid kit and a grease encrusted grill in its kitchen.

A customer reported it to Waltham Forest Council after spotting cockroaches at the takeaway store.

When environmental health inspectors walked through the door on Friday, November 2, they were immediately hit by the smell of mouse urine and came across three dead cockroaches and evidence of a long-standing mouse infestation.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The shop which sold curries, kebabs, pizzas, Chinese cuisine and fish and chips, was closed with immediate effect.

Thames Magistrates’ Court granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order and awarded costs of £864 to the council.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our officers found the premises in an absolutely filthy and disorganised state as well as clear evidence of a well -established mouse infestation.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

“No one would buy food from here knowing the condition of the kitchen and restaurant. How any business can treat their customer’s health with such contempt is beyond me.

“We would encourage any member of the public who has concerns about the hygiene standards at any food premises in the borough to let us know and we will visit to check them out.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

“The message to restaurant or takeaway owners is clear - you have a duty of care to make sure the food you serve has been prepared in clean kitchens, that ingredients are correctly and safely stored, and that your premises are free of pests or infestation.

"If you do not meet these obligations we will find out, your business will be closed, and we will seek court costs.”

When a food business is closed by environmental health officers the owners must make significant improvements before it can be reopened.

Inspectors must be satisfied that any risk to public health has been removed.