Broadland Potatoes in Swanstons Road, Great Yarmouth, was forced to close following an unannounced routine food hygiene inspection on January 21.

The company was slapped with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, forcing them to close immediately.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) attended a hearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on January 23, where an order was granted to ensure the food manufacturer remains shut until the council is satisfied that health standards are met and conditions have improved.

The action was deemed to be "essential" due to the risk of illness the rats could have posed by contaminating the potatoes.

It has since emerged that following this order, Broadland Potatoes chose not to seek permission to reopen and has therefore officially ceased trading.

As well as the rodents, the council also discovered a "very poor" standard of cleaning and stagnant water in the food preparation area.

A spokesman for council said: "Following the formal closure of Broadland Potatoes, the operators did not seek permission to reopen and the business has ceased trading."

© Eastern Daily Press