A POPULAR eatery was shut down after safety inspectors found German COCKROACHES crawling among the food.

Reading Borough Council ordered Chicken Base in Wokingham Road to shut its doors after officers unearthed a horrifying cockroach infestation.

Inspectors found live critters and egg sacks among filthy equipment and general disrepair.

Now, magistrates have upheld the council's decision to shut the site down.

Sarah Hacker, lead member for consumer services, said: "There is no excuse for this kind of breach of basic food hygiene. While the majority of food outlets in Reading are responsible, that was clearly not the case here.

“Public safety remains a priority and business owners need to know we will take action where we receive reports.

“The work of the food safety team at Reading is an example of the sort of essential council work that goes on behind the scenes to protect the public. My congratulations to the team for yet another successful prohibition order.”

Chicken Base has now re-opened after bosses cleaned up its act.

Inspectors raided the Wokingham Road site on October 27 and were left stunned by what they discovered.

A council spokesman added: "During the visit, officers found live German Cockroaches, egg sacks and conditions that would encourage and sustain an infestation, such as unclean equipment, general disrepair and open water sources.

"Council food safety officers decided the findings presented an imminent risk to health for consumers and that the food business operator did not have sufficient controls in place."

The council was awarded £1,552 in court costs.