An Indian takeaway has been closed down by health inspectors after a customer found a cockroach in a bag of poppadoms.

The find prompted an investigation which revealed a cockroach infestation at the Masala Bay in Herne Bay High Street which the owners immediately closed to carry out pest control measures.

But when environmental health officers revisited the premises on Friday they still found evidence of cockroaches and issued a hygiene emergency prohibition order. It means the takeaway cannot re-open until the council says so.

Principal environmental health officer Sandra Jones said: “The serving of this notice is quite rare but we have taken this action to prevent risk to human health.”

She said the inspection found evidence of cockroaches in basement food stores, food preparation rooms and on food itself. The premises were also dirty and a poor state of repair.

The business is now closed until it is re-inspected and a certificate issued to confirm it is no longer a health risk.

The council says the onus is on the Masala Bay to invite inspectors back when they believe the risk has been eliminated, which is expected to take at least two weeks.