A CHICKEN shop was closed by health inspectors after becoming infested with rats.

Food safety inspectors from Waltham Forest Council have closed Southern Fried Chicken, in Lea Bridge Road, after a routine visit on Monday.

During the inspection they found that the shop had an infestation of rats, which have gnawed holes in the floor and skirting throughout the shop.

It was believed the pests were getting into the shop through a disused toilet at the back of the shop.

As a result of the rat infestation and poor hygiene the shop was closed by the food safety officers.

A hearing at the Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court yesterday confirmed the closure and owners Muhammed Naseer and Razwan Hussain were ordered to pay costs of £690.

Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for community safety, enforcement and Protection, Cllr Afzal Akram, said: “The majority of our food premises are perfectly safe for residents to visit and eat in, those where we find unacceptable standards will be closed and we will work with the owners to improve hygiene conditions.

“We will not hesitate to prosecute establishments which are endangering the health of the public and I would urge all restaurant and café owners to do al they can to keep their premises clean, hygienic and free from vermin."

Residents can find out how hygienic their local restuarants are by logging on to www.walthamforest.gov.uk/food-scores