Takeaway owner hit with £2,000 bill

Xiao Ling Wang, owner of The Taste of China, in Lee Street, in the city, pleaded guilty at Hull Magistrates Court to 18 food safety breaches .

The prosecution came after the Chinese takeaway was twice closed after concerns were raised by environmental health officers.

After being closed for the first time last July, officers made two subsequent inspections and following the second of these placed it on the highest risk category.

Problems included flies in areas where food was being prepared, uncovered food, and staff who were not trained to handle food.

The takeaway was closed for six days in June after officers obtained an emergency notice.

The takeaway, which has since reopened, is rated "E" – the lowest possible score on the council's Scores on the Doors system.

Trevor Todd, assistant head of service for Citysafe, said the council had no alternative but to take action when poor conditions were found and advice ignored.

"We will always try to work with food business operators to achieve a good standard of compliance with the legal requirements for food safety."