THE owners of the Shamrat Indian restaurant in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, have pleaded guilty in court to a series of food hygiene offences.

Salvaduri Funder and Jamal Hussain were each fined £1,200 after admitting eight breaches of laws governing health and safety.

Maidstone magistrates were told how a routine food hygiene inspection completed by borough council officers on January 30 revealed a catalogue of breaches of regulations.

Food storage containers and kitchens were dirty, food was incorrectly stored and the supervision and training of staff were inadequate, according to inspectors. The kitchen floor and windows also badly needed repairs.

Speaking after the court case, council environmental health officer, Keith Hatcher, said: "Anyone who fails to meet their legal obligations is liable to prosecution and will be dealt with quickly to protect the public."

The proprietors, who said they had spent £20,000 on improvements since the inspections and anticipated spending a further £15,000, were also ordered to pay £236.50 costs.

The owners told the court that all the faults had been rectified as quickly as possible and a comprehensive improvement programme for the kitchen had been put in place.