A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order has been granted against a Pembroke café after environmental health officers discovered a mouse infestation.

The infestation was identified at The Lemon Tree, 2 Castle Terrace, last Wednesday (November 19), when officers from Pembrokeshire County Council's food safety team visited the premises to investigate a complaint.

Mouse droppings littered all areas of the premises, including work surfaces, cupboards and shelves containing glassware, crockery and saucepans, exposing food, surfaces and equipment to the risk of contamination.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice was served on the premises by an environmental health officer from the council's public protection division, effecting immediate closure of the business.

On Monday, an application was made to Haverfordwest Magistrates' Court for an order, confirming the action taken by the council's officers.

The court heard how mice present a significant risk to food safety due to the fact they carry a range of bacteria on their bodies and in their faeces, that would endanger public health. These include salmonella bacteria that are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

The court was satisfied with the evidence and made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order requiring the premises to remain closed until the council is satisfied that the health risk has been removed.

Said the council's food safety and port health manager, Jeff Beynon: "The owner of the business co-operated immediately with the request to close the premises when the risk presented by the infestation was identified.

"A pest control company has been appointed by the business to treat the problem. Further legal proceedings may follow."

After the hearing, Clr. Ken Rowlands, the council's cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, said: "We must ensure that the public are protected at all times and that food premises are clean and safe places.

"I am encouraged that the business is taking the matter very seriously and taking quick steps to ensure it will be operating at the standards expected."