PIZZA Hut in Taunton was ordered to pay more than £15,000 in fines and costs today after admitting breaches of food hygiene regulations.

An environmental health officer from Taunton Deane Council summed up her visits to the Hankridge Farm outlet saying she had rarely seen such poor standards of cleaning, Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday.

Pizza Hut says the problems, which date from February to May 2007, were an isolated episode and have now been put right.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to keep the premises clean and maintained in good condition and failing to keep clean equipment that comes into contact with food - both charges were brought under EU Regulation 852/2004.

Magistrates fined Pizza Hut £3,500 for each offence and awarded the council's costs of £8,464.50, as well as a £15 victim's surcharge.

For the full report, see the County Gazette on Thursday, April 3.