Mice infestation found at Middlesbrough restaurant (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Mice infestation found at Middlesbrough restaurant

12:14pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

MICE have been dining at a filthy Chinese restaurant which has been closed down by health inspectors.

A routine probe of the Dragon House, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, on Friday found mouse droppings throughout the kitchen and evidence that rodents had been chewing food.

Middlesbrough Council used its powers under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 to shut the business, and on Monday this week a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was issued at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The restaurant will be remain shut until Environmental Health Officers are satisfied it can be run properly.

A council spokesman said: “They found mouse droppings throughout the kitchen, evidence of foodstuffs having being gnawed by mice, very poor standards of cleanliness, food at risk of contamination and other serious breaches of food hygiene regulations.”

Environmental Health manager Judith Hedgley said: “Poor standards of cleanliness together with the presence of mice or other public health pests present a serious risk to health.

“Therefore the conditions in this food business meant its immediate closure was necessary.”