A Hove-based wholesale catering company has been fined after mouse droppings were found in a stock room.

Evidence of pest infestation was discovered at Sussex Prawns Supplies in Portland Road.

Managing director Gulum Ahmed, 32, was fined a total of £700 and ordered to pay £800 costs when he appeared in court at Brighton.

He admitted three offences of breaching food safety regulations and four offences on behalf of his company.

They included failing to ensure the premises were in a condition to allow adequate cleaning and failing to make adequate provision for the removal and storage of food waste and other refuse, including builders' rubble.

Len Batten, prosecuting for the city council, said the mouse droppings were found under pallets and behind equipment when an environmental health officer made a routine inspection in January.

There was also evidence of food spillage in the storeroom.

When the officer returned the following day he found a large amount of builders' rubble and other refuse in the rear yard.

Mr Batten said the yard would have been an ideal refuge for vermin.

Inside, walls and ceilings were covered in unfinished plasterboard and rough cement which could not be cleaned effectively.

He said: "This is clearly a case where the premises must be kept in good order and repair and in a clean condition in order to make them safe."

Matthew Bagnall, defending, said the company was dealing with the mice at the time of the inspection. A pest control firm had already placed baited traps at the premises.

He said the vast majority of problems were caused by building work which had now been completed.

He said: "The company is extremely sorry for this state of affairs and has taken significant steps to remedy it."