A MICE-infested take-away has been shut down by environmental health officers.

An inspection on Tuesday led to the closure of the Spring Orchid fast-food business at the Vaughan Shopping Centre in Thorntree, Middlesbrough.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served after officers found a serious mouse infestation, an absence of cleaning and serious breaches of food hygiene laws. The council is applying to Teesside Magistrates' Court for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order to keep the takeaway closed until the owner has removed all of the health risks.

Wayne Flowers, Principal Environmental Health Officer said: "The conditions in this food business presented an imminent risk of injury to health and emergency hygiene powers were used to close the takeaway.

"The premises will remain closed until the owner proves to the Council that there is no longer any pest activity and standards of hygiene are satisfactory."