Dead mice, rodent droppings and poor food safety conditions have led to a pound shop being fined a total of £1,800.

Poundstretcher, which owns an outlet at Connswater Shopping Centre in east Befast, was also ordered to pay court costs of £75 for three food hygiene offences.

Environmental health staff found fresh mice droppings, a strong smell of urine and two dead mice during a routine inspection on February 14 last year.

Food stuffs were not protected from risk of contamination and procedures critical to food safety were found to be inadequate.

A notice was served to prohibit the use of storage areas in the shop, but was lifted on March 11 after three consecutive days of no pest activity and all pest proofing work completed. The conditions have now been improved to Belfast City Council’s satisfaction.