A Pakistani restaurant and takeaway has been forced to close after a mouse infestation prompted an "emergency" closure order and zero hygiene rating.

New Shahi Spice on Slough High Street was visited by the Food Standards Agency on February 2 for a routine inspection.

After seeing the state of the establishment, inspectors quickly applied for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition notice and several days later presented this to Slough Magistrate's Court for consideration on February 6.

New Shahi Spice has now been seen with a notice on its front glass window confirming the order, with the owners being told it would be a criminal offence to remove the notice.

In the hygiene report, seen by The Observer, it is noted how mouse droppings were found throughout the premises on food contact equipment and preparation surfaces and "food was not being protected from contamination".

The report continued: "There were signs of an extensive infestation of rodents (notably mice) in the premises.

"Droppings were noted throughout the premises including on food preparation surfaces containers of food and on shelves, the floor and other structural elements.

"Chewed packaging and other materials were noted throughout the premises."

The managers have been instructed to undertake "significant proofing work" to prevent access to the food premises by rodents.

It was also found staff members were not "effectively cleaning and disinfecting" the surfaces before and after preparing food and the overall standard of cleanliness was "poor".

"Floor surfaces were covered in spilt food and other debris along with mouse droppings, shelving throughout the premises was filthy and grimy, containers used for food storage were greasy and dirty and many had mouse droppings on them," the report added.

To the rear, food waste and other refuse were accumulating.

Inside, there was no fully functioning wash hand basin in the food preparation area. The rear basin was not connected to the drainage system and there was no hot water to the washbasin in the front server area.

Concluding the report, the inspector said: "At the time of the inspection, there was clearly no effective food safety management system in place at the business. 

"Staff were clearly not trained, instructed and supervised commensurate with their food handling activities as there were no signs that any of them were taking active responsibility for addressing the obvious mouse activity

"There needs to be a system in place for ensuring that the premises is maintained in a clean condition."

In order to reopen the restaurant and takeaway, New Shahi Spice must set out what action they have taken to address the issues.

The Food Standards Agency can then decide whether to allow the business to once again operate.