BOROUGH takeaways have been hit with court bills for thousands of pounds for a string of offences relating to poor hygiene.

Brierley Hill pizza firm boss Mohammed Hassani, of Cooper Avenue, who runs Godfather Pizzeria in Dudley, landed a bill for £7,334 after pleading guilty to 11 offences.

The prosecution, brought by Dudley Council, followed inspections at his takeaway in Stourbridge Road, Dudley, in December 2011 and June 2012 by environmental health officers.

The offences included failing to keep food premsies clean and in good repair, failing to keep equipment clean, failing to store raw ingredients appropriately and failing to ensure that food handlers were trained.

Magistrates fined the company £3,200 and ordered Mr Hassani to pay £4,134 costs at the hearing on January 10.

Lucky House Chinese restaurant on Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, was also prosecuted by Dudley Council and landed a court bill of £3,000 at the same hearing.

The court heard heard mouse droppings were found by inspectors along with dirt, mould, flaking paint and peeling wall paper. There were also problems with general cleanliness and a hole in the wall was found.

Councillor Tracy Wood, Dudley’s cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "People have a right to expect the highest standards of cleanliness when they eat out.

“We offer help and advice to companies on maintaining this high standard, but will not hesitate to prosecute those who continually fail to comply with the law."