A CURRY house in Rochford 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, pleaded guilty to six counts of contravening food hygiene regulations.

He was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £2,795 court costs, at a hearing held last Friday.

Rochford District Council launched the case against Mr Uddin after environmental health inspectors, conducting a routine inspection, found a large infestation of cockroaches in August last year.

The restaurant was immediately closed but reopened a week later after the owner cleaned the place up.

Richard Evans, head of environmental services at the council said: “We are pleased with the outcome of this case.

“Whilst prosecution is always used as a last resort, we hope that this will demonstrate to businesses that Rochford District Council will not hesitate to bring offenders to court.”