Two food businesses in Southall were closed last month after the council’s food safety team found evidence of rat and mouse infestations.

Council officers visited the premises in November on routine inspections and found them to be filthy and infested with vermin.

During the inspection a live mouse was seen in one of the premises. Both businesses were closed immediately and the owners ordered to make major improvements.

Punjabi Virsa, an Indian takeaway and restaurant based at 37 Featherstone Road, Southall, was closed last month after inspectors found evidence of a major rat infestation and a poor standard of cleaning.

Universal General Store, a butcher shop, at 21 King Street, Southall, was also forced to close down. On a routine inspection, officers uncovered a rat infestation, a lack of hot water and a poor overall standard of cleaning. They found that the owners had failed to act on the advice of their own pest control contractor in October 2012.

Both businesses were allowed to reopen having made substantial improvements.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: "These businesses were gambling with the public’s health with their appalling approach to cleanliness."

"Food safety laws are there to protect consumers and most businesses do comply with them. However, we will always take swift action to protect the public when their health is put at risk."

Council officers are now considering whether to pursue further legal action against both businesses.