ENVIRONMENTAL health officers have shut down a takeaway in Teesside after an inspection found "serious risks" to public health.

The Golden Wok in Eston, Middlesbrough, was inspected by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's environmental health team on Thursday (June 23) and a number of serious health risks were discovered - including "poor standards" of personal hygiene.

They formally closed the takeaway to protect public health under food safety regulations after being granted a hygiene emergency prohibition order by District Judge Harrison at Teesside Magistrates Court.

The Golden Wok, on Eston High Street, will be shut until the environmental health team are satisfied it no longer presents a health risk.

The reasons for the closure were due to "very poor" standards of cleanliness and poor maintenance to the structure and equipment within the premises, as well as food being at risk of contamination due to inadequate disinfection procedures and poor standards of personal hygiene.

The Golden Wok’s owner will be able to apply for the court order to be lifted once the premises have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and food can be prepared and stored safely.

But it will not be allowed to reopen until it has been inspected by environmental health officers - and they are satisfied it can be operated hygienically.

Councillor Lynn Pallister, cabinet member for health and housing, said: “Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council will always act quickly to close unsafe premises like these where the health of our residents is at risk.

"This should be a warning to other businesses that the council has a zero tolerance approach to those who put the public’s health in danger."