THE OWNER of a takeaway was ordered to pay £4,500 after failing to meet food hygiene regulations.

Kings Flavour, in Dock Road, Tilbury, was found infested with cockroaches, the floors and equipment were filthy and there was no proper food safety system.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard it was closed by environmental health officers in January 2011.

After a follow-up inspection it was allowed to re-open, but last June Thurrock Council received a complaint over an undercooked chicken burger. Inspections revealed food hygiene was not adequate.

Owner Louston Dia Velichore was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.