A CHINESE restaurant has been closed down after becoming infested with mice.

Inspectors ordered the Jade Garden restaurant in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, to shut on Wednesday after finding mouse droppings on food and a mouse nest which had been there for several months.

The emergency prohibition order was upheld at Teesside Magistrates Court yesterday.

Sarah Ratcliffe, environmental health manager at Middlesbrough Borough Council, said she had been contacted by a member of the public who had seen a mouse running from the restaurant.

She told the court: "It was extremely dirty."

Rachel Baker, for the council, said mouse droppings were found throughout the kitchen, including preparation surfaces.

Looking at photographs, District Judge Stephen Earle said: "Only a blind man could miss the level of infestation."

The restaurant is owned by the Phung family. Mr and Mrs Phung were not in court yesterday but their daughters, Melissa and Leslie, attended.

After the hearing, Melissa Phung said: "We have had industrial cleaners in for two days. The inspector was impressed and we may be able to reopen for Saturday.

"My mother and father have been in the industry for more than 20 years and nothing like this has ever happened before.

"They are very upset. The whole area has had a problem with mice."

The council confirmed the restaurant could reopen once it was proven to be hygienic.