A WOMAN has pleaded not guilty to breaching several food hygiene regulations after inspectors found out-of-date food and a decomposing steak during an inspection.

Helen Louise Smallwood was working at The Rimswell Hotel, in Stockton, when the hygiene problems were discovered in December.

The 57-year-old, of Bishopton Road West, Stockton, pleaded not guilty to ten charges when she appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday.

On December 6, Stockton Borough Council's food safety inspectors discovered problems including a decomposing sirloin steak and two decomposing cod fillets.

There was also a failure to ensure food containers and refrigerator shelving were kept clean or disinfected.

A trial will take place at the same court on Monday, November 14.