A CURRY house has been shut down after shocked inspectors discovered a huge infestation of cockroaches – including some in food ready to be served to customers.

Bury Council officers took emergency measures to close the Radcliffe Balti, in Water Street, after making the disgusting find last month and said that there was an "imminent risk of injury" to the public's health.

After tracing the insects from a neighbouring takeaway back to Radcliffe Balti, the inspectors found cockroaches throughout the premises - including in boxes of rice and vegetables waiting to be given to members of the public.

Cockroach droppings were also found in all of the takeaway's food preparation areas, among other hygiene offences.

The infestation was so big that the council took the unusual step of applying to Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.

This means the shop cannot reopen until the council is satisfied that the infestation has been removed.

A council spokesman said: “Following information received, we carried out an inspection at Radcliffe Balti where we identified a number of serious food hygiene offences including an extensive cockroach infestation. Cockroach droppings were seen in all food preparation areas and there was evidence of cockroach activity above food preparation, storage and cooking areas.

“This posed a significant risk of food contamination, and we believed there was an imminent risk of injury to the health of the public.

“We served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the owner on December 16, which was made into an official Order by Bury Magistrates Court on December 23. This means the premises cannot open until we are satisfied that work has been done to remove the imminent risk to health.”

A copy of the order posted outside the takeaway reads: "There is an active infestation of cockroaches throughout the premises including in food ready to be served to customers in the fridge - a bowl of cooked rice, a box of vegetables, a box of tomatoes, along the bottom of the fridge and on the food preparation work surface, thus posing a significant risk of food contamination and an imminent risk of injury to health."

Vincent Hu, manager at The Dragon and Phoenix, which is next door in Water Street, said: “We have a contract with Bury Council’s pest control, who visit every quarter of the year.

“For the past six months they had found the odd insect but couldn’t get rid of them and wondered where they were coming from. That’s why they went to the Balti and found the infestation there.”

Dobir Miah, owner of the Radcliffe Balti, was ordered by magistrates to pay costs of £500 to Bury Council.

Despite attempts by The Radcliffe Times to contact Mr Miah, he has been unavailable for comment.