A chicken shop owner has been fined £5,000 after health inspectors discovered a rat infestation at the takeaway. 

Chick Inn in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, was inspected by Waltham Forest council's environmental health team on three occasions between January and March 2014. 

During the first visit on January 20, officers discovered a rat infestation in the storeroom and evidence the vermin has gnawed their way through cabbages destined for burgers, wraps and kebabs. 

Rats had nibbled their way through bags of flour and droppings were found scattered on shelving in a food storage room. 

The premise was dirty throughout with sinks and wash basins covered in encrusted food debris.

Cooking equipment including chopping boards were covered in filth and inspectors say there was no evidence staff had any professional training or qualifications. 

A prosecution was mounted against owner Gohar Khan after inspectors returned in late January and in March to find little had been done to improve the hygiene of the takeaway. 

Khan pleaded guilty to seven food hygiene contraventions at Thames Magistrates Court on January 16 and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay the council's legal costs of £2,700.  

Deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, cllr Clyde Loakes, said: "These sorts of appalling discoveries underline the importance of the work of our food and safety team and the value of our inspection programme.

"Identifying food outlets that are not taking the necessary measures to ensure proper hygiene precautions are being followed is an extremely important facet of our work as a council. 

"Obviously the court agreed and the maximum fine was imposed."