A LIVE mouse was just of the unpleasant discoveries awaiting hygiene inspectors who shut down three food businesses last month.

Two sites in Southall and one in Greenford were closed after Ealing Council’s food safety team found evidence of rat and mouse infestations.

Officers visited the premises in November on routine inspections and found them filthy and infested with vermin.

Punjabi Virsa, an Indian takeaway and restaurant in Featherstone Road, Southall, was closed last month after inspectors found evidence of a major rat infestation and a poor standard of cleaning. The premises were allowed to reopen after making substantial improvements.

Officers were also forced to close down Universal General Store, a butcher shop based in Southall’s King Street.

On another routine inspection, officers uncovered a rat infestation, a lack of hot water and poor overall cleaning standards. They also found that the owners had failed to act on the advice of their own pest control contractor in October of this year.

The business was allowed to reopen following a series of improvements.

Kaveri Express of Sudbury Heights Avenue, Greenford, which manufactures food and supplies it to restaurants, was closed after officers popped in unannounced. They found a cockroach infestation and saw a live mouse during their inspection, plus food preparation areas that were filthy.

The premises remain closed until officers are satisfied that it no longer presents a risk to public health.

Council officers are now considering whether to pursue further legal action against all three businesses.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, Ealing leader for community services and safety, said: "These businesses were gambling with the public’s health with their appalling approach to cleanliness.

“Food safety laws are there to protect consumers and most businesses do comply with them. However, we will always take swift action to protect the public when their health is put at risk.”

Anyone who is concerned that a business is breaching food hygiene regulations should email foodsafety@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 6666.