SHOCKING photos reveal the state of a nursery ordered to pay £6,740 after mouse droppings were found in its kitchen.

Helen Scott-Corcoran and Kaye Merriman of Little Angels nursery in Marcham pleaded guilty to three breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on August 15.

The charges all relate to an inspection by Vale of White Horse District Council hygiene officers on October 19, 2015.

The inspectors said the kitchen, which was used to prepare food and drink served to babies and young children, was in a "filthy condition with a build-up of dirt, gnawed materials, and a large amount of mouse droppings both in the kitchen and where children could access them in the nursery".

Oxford Mail:

Both Ms Scott-Corcoran and Ms Merriman admitted that they had previously caught a mouse in the kitchen, but didn’t take any further action.

Following the inspection, they voluntarily closed the kitchen and used facilities in a building nearby that was clean and already used for the after school club.

Since the incident, the nursery has put in place a pest control contract, has been cleaned and pest-proofed, and there are food safety management procedures in place complete with staff training.

Oxford Mail:

Vale cabinet member for environmental health Elaine Ware said: "I think people will be shocked to find that young children and babies were being fed food prepared in a kitchen like this.

"We’re satisfied that the business now has the right procedures in place, but they’ve had to pay a very high price for something that really shouldn’t have happened in the first place, and we hope this will serve as a stern warning to other organisations and make sure they have their houses in order."