MOUSE urine and droppings were found inside fridges, on worktops and on a pizza tray at a town centre takeaway, a court heard.

The grim discovery was made at the Kabul Kebab House in Bradshawgate in February last year.

Shafaqat Ali was fined £2,000 and his business was closed down by environmental health bosses, Bolton Magistrates Court was told.

Ali, of Whittaker Lane, Prestwich, admitted to 13 counts of breached food hygiene regulations.

Andrew Morris, prosecuting, told the court that Ali had failed to ensure the takeaway was free of mouse droppings and left food exposed to contamination.

He said: “It’s a fast food business. The area is used for serving and preparing food. The inspector said there were mouse droppings in the front serving area, on cooking equipment, work surfaces and under food packages.

“There was evidence of gnawing at packaging and a large mouse infestation.”

Shelving units and refrigerator grids were also covered in mouse droppings, the court heard.

The kebab house was served with an emergency hygiene prohibition notice — meaning it had to close — and given a zero hygiene rating.

The takeaway has since changed hands and changed its name to the Bolton Kebab House.

Ali, aged 41, no longer owns a takeaway and is currently unemployed.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive member for the environment at Bolton Council, said: “We are pleased with the result. The fine comes on top of the closure of the kebab place.

“It needs to send a message out to business owners in Bolton. They should all be offering high standards of hygiene and cleanliness when serving food to the public.

“I would encourage to customers using takeaways and restaurants to have a look for the food hygiene rating.”

Many restaurants use the Scores on the Doors scheme meaning they display their rating at the entrance.

For information go to scoresonthedoors.org.uk