A TAKEAWAY in Stockton has been fined for poor hygiene.

Moien Mehra, 56, of Thorpe Larches, Sedgefield, the owner of The Parmesan House on Yarm Road, Stockton, was ordered to pay £2,230.81 after pleading guilty to three offences under the Food Hygiene act.

Teesside Magistrates today (Tuesday, April 30) heard how Stockton Council's Environmental Health officers found unhygienic conditions during an inspection last November.

Food preparation areas, equipment and storage facilities were declared dirty and greasy. The court heard hygiene standards and practices were poor and food hygiene knowledge and practices were also poor.

In mitigation, Mr Mehra said that the conditions were due to the manager of the shop leaving his post and some ongoing building work which was taking place within the premises at the time of inspection.

Mr Mehra told the Court that he was embarrassed and now had a food hygiene system in place.

Since the date of the offences he had carried out refurbishments to make the premises easier to clean and maintain. He has also ensured that staff have undertaken appropriate training.

Stockton Council's cabinet member for housing and community safety, Councillor Steve Nelson, said: "This case is once again a serious reminder that the responsibility of food hygiene standards lies with the premises owner, not its staff."