THE owner of a takeaway in Oldham found himself in court – after standards of hygiene got so low mouse and rat droppings were found on equipment used to cook food.

BBQ’d on Union Street was visited by a council officer in November last year, who was stunned to see how bad the conditions were.

As well as animal droppings, grease had built up underneath a sink and food debris were found on the floor.

The owner pleaded guilty to two breaches of food and hygiene regulations in a recent appearance in Tameside Magistrates’ Court. He was fined £1,400 but said he had resolved the problem and a revisit by the council in January this year gave it an improved food hygiene rating.

Cllr Barbara Brownridge, neighbourhoods cabinet member, warned food outlets not to let hygiene levels fall to this level.

She said: “We take food safety very seriously and anyone who puts the safety of residents at risk face action.

"It’s good this business learned its lesson and has since obtained a food hygiene rating of four.

"But no firm should allow its hygiene levels to fall that low."