County told of dirty store

Health inspectors found a dead rat, droppings and gnawed and empty chocolate and crisp packets in a village shop on the Powys/Shropshire border, a court has heard.

The owners of Ashfield Stores, in Llanymynech, were warned yesterday they could face prison after placing the health of their customers and staff at serious risk.

Welshpool magistrates, having been told David William Peter Searle, 44, and Kim Searle, 45, had been prosecuted under food hygiene rules in 2006, said they were appalled at the risk the shop had posed to public health.

Warning the husband and wife that they could be jailed, Chairman Mr Gwilym Humphreys said: "You were negligent and reckless in your duties. You not only put the public at risk of disease but you put at risk the health and safety of your employees."

Yesterday the couple admitted failing to keep food premises in good repair and condition, to ensure adequate pest control procedures were in place and to provide adequate facilities for good food hygiene practices. Their case was adjourned for sentencing until March 11.

Mr Nigel Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court that on July 4 last year environmental health officers received a complaint about a bad smell at Ashfield Stores.

The following day they found a blackened and mou-ldy ceiling in the rear store room, rodent droppings on shelves and boxes, gnawed cables, a dead rat and gna-wed and empty food packets.

Inspectors described the premises as being dirty and, Mr Vaughan said, gnawed rubbish was found behind the lottery counter, holes were found in the chimney breast and doors had been left unsealed, providing access for rodents.

"Environmental health officers feared that food could have become contaminated at any point," he said.

He called for magistrates to consider banning the sale of food at the shop.

Mr Earl Pinnock, for Mr and Mrs Searle, said the store had reopened days after the inspectors' visit.

Standards had improved and all necessary repairs had been undertaken, he said.

He said the couple had been experiencing financial difficulties and were in the process of selling the store.

By Anwen Evans