AN Indian restaurant posed such a health risk it had to be closed down for a three day clean-up.

Magistrates slapped a £14,000 fine on the owners of The Pink Garlic, Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, after hearing of the filthy conditions that had existed.

Manchester council prosecuter Barbara Gora said there was mouse and cockroach infestation and the kitchen was dirty. A packet of custard had been gnawed into and mouse droppings were near food containers.

Cockroaches were living in electrical outlets and one was found floating in warm water in a wok, Manchester magistrates court heard.

Miss Gora said a rear fire escape had been used as a store for ready-to-eat food and wasn't protected from pests. All the rooms were filthy and pipework covered in grease and dirt with dirty fingerprints on doors.

"The restaurant was in a poor state of repair and a very serious risk to public health," Miss Gora told the court.

She said the premises voluntarily closed and was only allowed to resume trading after a three day clean-up.

The owners didn't turn up in court and in their absence were convicted of seven counts under food hygiene regulations. They were also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

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