A Dudley Chinese restaurant plagued by rats has been closed by health inspectors.

The Mun Yuan in High Street, Quarry Bank, was temporarily shut by council environmental health officers on health grounds last Thursday.

They found rat droppings behind freezers in the food store room, in the kitchen and even on the first floor stairwell, Dudley magistrates heard. 

The rodents were thought to have got in through the damaged metal mesh cover of a drain by the wok range, said local authority solicitor Mr Tim Holder. Tiles were also dirty and a chopping board unsuitable for use.

The visit was a follow-up to a previous inspection almost four months earlier, the court heard. Environment health officer Sarah Welch said: “Rats carry diseases and we ordered the immediate closure of the premises to prevent a food poisoning outbreak.”

Mrs Xiao Li Seun, the proprietor, and her husband Ming Li Seun, who works at the restaurant, did not attend court today. 

Mr Holder said: “You can draw your own conclusion from that.” 

But the couple have now called in pest control experts to end the rat menace. Magistrates confirmed the hygiene order closing the premises and ordered Mrs Seun to pay £1,000 costs.