A DISCOUNT store has been banned from selling food after environmental health inspectors found a 'widespread and serious’ mice infestation.

Officers said children’s chocolates and bags of nuts had been gnawed and droppings were littered across food shelves at Family Bargains, in Farnham Road.

The store caused an 'imminent risk’ to public health and officers immediately served an emergency hygiene prohibition notice.

It bans the shop, based at 145-147, from selling food until the council is satisfied there is no further risk to health. However it can still sell non-food items.

Cllr Sabia Hussain, commissioner for health and wellbeing, said: “Shops which put Slough residents at risk will not be tolerated and, if necessary to protect people, shut down immediately.

“I hope this emergency closure will encourage both this shop owner and others to improve their hygiene and deal with issues like this before we have to close them down.” Officers visited the store, owned by 99p Stores Limited, on Wednesday last week (12) and the notice was confirmed by Slough Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

During the inspection, officers said they found mouse droppings throughout the premises, including in the upstairs store room.

Children’s chocolates and bags of nuts had been gnawed and droppings were collected from food shelves across the store, they said.

A spokesman for the store said: “We regret this unfortunate incident. We are working closely with the council to resolve all the issues they have highlighted and taking very strong measures to get the store turned around and back to normal trade.” Family Bargains will now be monitored by environmental health officers until conditions within the shop are satisfactory. Staff have to request an officer re-inspection before the ban can be lifted.