A SEASIDE chip shop has been fined after hygiene inspectors found the premises were dirty.

Adam Minto, owner of Drews Fish and Chips on the Esplanade, Redcar, has been fined £5,000 by Teesside magistrates after pleading guilty to seven offences, including failing to keep his premises and food equipment clean, inadequate storage of food waste and risks to food safety, plus failing to operate his premises hygienically.

The prosecution was brought by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's food team which uncovered the grubby conditions during routine inspections in April and October.

Mr Minto was fined £500 for each of four offences in April and £1,000 each for three in October. In mitigation, he told the court he was abroad on business when the visits were made and there had been problems with the business when he bought it.

Wayne Flower, the council's principal environmental health officer, said after the court case: "It is the aim of the food team to protect consumers from risks to their health or safety and we will continue to take appropriate action to achieve this.

"The food team is keen to support businesses in the borough and regularly provides advice and guidance on managing hygiene and safety."