A RAT and cockroach infestation has seen two business owners face combined fines of nearly £10,000.

Stunned council investigators were left horrified when they carried out an inspection at Reading Quality Foods and Al-Muzammil Halal Meat, both based in Northumberland Avenue.

They raided the food stores in 2016 and served an enforcement notice after finding cockroaches on the food preparation surfaces.

But the businesses failed to comply with the notice and have now ceased to trade.

Officers launched an investigation after a tradesman spotted rats scurrying around the area.

A council spokesman, said: "In November 2016, following a tip off from a tradesman who reported seeing 10-15 rats running throughout the store, officers visited the premises and found an array of serious hygiene violations.

"This included a widespread rat infestation throughout the premises, a substantial hole in the floor that appeared to be as a result of rat damage and a cockroach infestation at the butchers.

"Food was found on display at Reading Quality Foods that had been gnawed and damaged by rats and contaminated with rat faeces.

"Fresh droppings were found in boxes where food was displayed. Droppings were found across the premises on the floor, on shelves, on food products and under equipment including on freezer handles.

"Live cockroaches were found at the butchers on the work surfaces and living in kitchen equipment. Cockroaches were also found within one of the freezers at Reading Quality Food."

Muhammed Nasar, 35, and Satpal Singh Nangpal, both appeared at court on separate occasions to face prosecution.

Nasar, of Bevelwood Gardens, High Wycombe, appeared in relation to his business, Al-Muzammil Halal Meats, which operated within Reading Quality Foods.

He admitted 20 food and hygiene safety offences and was slapped with fines and costs of more than £6,000.

The judge at Reading Magistrates ruled that he had "flagrantly disregarded the regulations".

Meanwhile, Nangal, of Heston Avenue, Hounslow, who owned Reading Quality Foods, admitted 27 charges.

Three of the counts fell under the Health and Safety Act while the remaining 24 were food hygiene breaches.

He was fined £3,928 and ordered to pay more than £1,000 in legal costs.

Councillor Graeme Hoskin, said: "These successful prosecutions show the council’s commitment to protecting consumers from rogue shop owners. We take food violations very seriously and I want to thank our officers for their extensive work which has seen these store owners held accountable for their actions.

“Whilst the vast majority of food outlets are responsible and meet the high standards of food safety, here is an example of offenders who did not appear to take those responsibilities seriously. There is no excuse for these kinds of breaches of basic food hygiene. This sends out a clear message that public safety remains a priority and poor standards will not to be tolerated.”

Both businesses are now under new management.