A ROCHFORD Indian restaurant has been fined by Southend Magistrates after health inspectors found it infested with cockroaches.

Taj Uddin, the owner of Royal Tandoori, in West Street, Rochford, admitted six food hygiene infringements. He was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,795 costs.

Rochford District Council took Mr Uddin to court after a routine inspection found a large infestation of cockroaches last August. The restaurant was immediately closed and reopened a week later after it was cleaned up.