INSPECTORS found mice and beetles infesting a city centre bakery, which was ordered to close because of the "appalling" conditions.

The rodent problem at the Pine Tree Bakery was so bad that in one instance the pests had gnawed completely through a wooden door frame.

The Polish bakery on Home Street, Tollcross, was temporarily shut down by the council after a sheriff agreed to issue an emergency notice.

Officers shut down the bakery following the inspection last month and told management, who only opened the former pie shop last year, to address all the problems.

They returned the following day and were sufficiently impressed with the improvements to allow the bakery to reopen.

Environmental heath officers were shocked by the conditions they found during the routine inspection on June 13th.

They discovered "extensive evidence of mouse infestation in a corridor, hide beetle larvae, a build-up of food debris and rubbish", leading to an "imminent risk of food being contaminated in the area".

A council spokeswoman said: "The mice infestation was so severe that they had in fact gnawed a hole through a door frame to gain access to the bakery from the rear service corridor.

"Fortunately the problem of mice within the bakery itself was uncovered at an early stage which prevented extensive contamination of food stuffs."

City environment leader Cllr Robert Aldridge slammed the bakery business, run by Sebastian Sosenko, for failing to keep its premises clean. He said: "Businesses that do not adhere to strict food safety requirements can face prosecution. Food businesses operators are required to implement and maintain a food safety management system.

"Premises such as this, which was found in appalling and completely unacceptable state, will be shut down by our officers."

According to the council's own website, the business employs up to five people. It is described as a "retail and wholesale craft bakery ... based on traditional Polish recipes and made on premises by a master baker".

The baker only uses flour imported from Poland, and it is claimed that products are free of all additives, chemicals and preservatives.

The business also states that it is "committed to excellence" in terms of cleanliness.

The bakery was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, which is granted after the council applies to a sheriff.

It has the power to immediately close a business where there is found to be an "imminent" risk to people's health from eating food that has been handled, prepared, processed or even stored in the premises.

Environmental Health Officers carry out more than 2500 surprise inspections every year in a range of food premises.

The most recent high-profile incident involving a food premises was the former Tickled Trout on Lanark Road.

In that case inspectors found rat infestations and mouldy food. They also unearthed contaminated strawberries "unfit for human consumption".

Owners Spirit Group were fined £17,500. The pub is now under new management and has been renamed The Dell.

Last December, the Rainbow Arch Chinese restaurant on Morrison Street was hit with an unprecedented £18,000 fine after inspectors discovered mouse droppings in serving bowls and food packaging.

A report is now being prepared for the procurator fiscal and the Pine Tree Bakery could yet be faced with permanent closure or a stiff fine.

Despite several attempts, Mr Sosenko could not be contacted by the Evening News.