MICE droppings have been found in a Polish delicatessen following an inspection by the council.

Reading Borough Council's environmental health officer Aoife Gallagher was called to Polish Delicatessen U Marcina on July 28 following a series of complaints made by customers.

An inspection was carried out by Ms Gallagher the same day which saw her pull out cardboard shelves in the shop resulting in the discovery of mice faeces.

She then pulled out packaged food from a compartment to find more dropping where food was being stored prompting the council to apply for an emergency prohibition order to temporarily shut down the premises.

Jite Binitie, prosecuting, said: “A Reading Borough Council officer responded to a number of complaints made by members of the public about the shop.

“The manager, Jan Pelka, was called and an inspection took place which led to signs of pest activity being found in the shop.”

She added: “Mr Pelka said he had no idea there were mice in his shop but baits and glue traps were found in the shop and they were also found to contain more droppings.”

At a hearing, which took place at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, the court heard how when confronted by the officer about the traps set around the building, Mr Pelka said he put them down “just in case [mice] were there”.

Following the inspection, Mr Pelka was charged with breaching health and safety and his shop was immediately shut down.

Mr Pelka was ordered to pay £725 costs to the council at the hearing, which he was not present for, and undertake pest control measures.

The shop was reopened on August 7.

Mr Pelka was not available for a comment.