A restaurant has been fined after health inspectors found mouse droppings floating in a pool of grease.

Bosses at Seagull Restaurant in Madeira Drive, Brighton, pleaded guilty to seven charges including failing to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests.

During an inspection on March 13, health inspectors carrying out a routine hygiene visit discovered mouse droppings at 15 different locations - including under the fryer floating in a pool of grease. The owner closed the premises to clean up and carry out treatment and proofing works.

A council spokesman said: “This case showed serious breaches of food hygiene standards. The fines handed out show that the courts will back the City Council in action to protect residents and visitors.

“People should have confidence that cases such as these are rare. Standards of food hygiene in the city are going up, with more food businesses than ever achieving a top rating of 5 and nearly 93% having a rating of 3 or more which is above the national average.”

Cloudless Limited, which runs the Seagull Restaurant, was fined a £3,515.