A GROCERY shop has an infestation of mice, according to Bolton Council inspectors.

Officers from the food control unit at the council said they found what they believed to be mouse droppings in an unloading and storage area at the back of the Barkat Food Store in Derby Street, Daubhill.

They immediately served a notice on the premises, which is a grocery and halal butchers, to prevent use of the area of concern. Inspectors said they felt there was a risk of food contamination and an imminent risk to health.

Legal notices have been served on Jabir Mohamed Patel, director of the company, and a hearing set to take place at Bolton Magistrates Court this morning.

The officers were due to make an application for a hygiene emergency prohibition order, to prevent the particular area being used.

A council spokesman said: “There was evidence of a mouse infestation that was serious enough to cause actual contamination of food.

“In this particular case, the notice has been served on part of the premises where there was evidence of a mouse infestation.

“Once that is served, it is displayed on the premises. Within three days of doing that, you have to make an application to the magistrates court for a hygiene emergency prohibition order.” At court today, the officers were set to present the evidence, including the risk of contamination to food. If satisfied that the business does pose an imminent risk to public health, magistrates will impose a hygiene emergency prohibition order to prevent that area being used until it is made safe.

Barkat Foodstore has not had any previous hygiene emergency prohibition notices or orders served on it. The officers discovered the alleged rodent problem on Thursday when they visited the shop over an unrelated matter.

Mr Patel was unavailable for comment.