A shop in Willenhall caught selling loaves of bread which had been gnawed by mice and where droppings were found on the floor has been fined of £2,000.

The Siva Express Ltd outlet at the Spring Bank Service Station sold a loaf which had been partly eaten by a rodent while another half chewed one sat on a shelf waiting to be picked up, Walsall Magistrates Court was told.

The company pleaded guilty to five offences of contravening food hygiene regulations at the St Annes Road shop during the hearing yesterday.

These included not keeping the shop clean, inadequate procedures to control pests and failure to put in place procedures to ensure food safety management.

Mr Dominic Patouchas, prosecuting, said a complaint was made by a member of the public who had bought a loaf from the shop on December 27, 2007.

He said the bread had been chewed by some type of rodent and when Walsall Council officers visited the premises they established further evidence of mice on the premises.

Mouse droppings were found around the perimeter of the storeroom and under a shelf where no food was present. There was also another loaf which had been gnawed on a cupboard at the centre of the shop.

Mr Patouchas added a further five visits were made to the premises over the four months immediately afterwards and

evidence of mice was found on each occasion.

Mr Geoffrey Dann, defending, said director Sellathurai Rajamohan had limited training and advice on food safety.

He added his client was unaware of any pests and rodents until the incident arose.

Rentokil pest control were called in and there have been no problems with infestation since and steps had been taken.

Magistrates fined the company £2,000 and with costs of £431.50.

Last year discount goods chain Poundland was ordered to pay more than £3,500 in fines and costs after a mice infestation at its store in Walsall’s Saddlers Centre, in Park Street.