A RETAIL chain has been ordered to pay almost £60,000 in fines and costs after breaking health and safety laws.

Poundstretcher Limited, which operates two shops in the New Forest and was prosecuted by the district council, admitted four offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

A council spokesman said: “Three of the offences – one in Totton and two in New Milton – related to over-stocking.

“These resulted in unsafe stacking, obstructed aisles, stairs and a fire exit.

“The fourth offence related to the failure to provide safety wear for staff accepting deliveries on pallets and using pallet trucks.”

Magistrates in Southampton said Poundstretcher should have had adequate health and safety policies, risk assessments and training procedures in place.

They also said the company had failed to take sufficient notice of warnings and advice provided by the council’s health and safety officers.

Taking into account Poundstretcher’s previous convictions, magistrates fined the company £12,000 for each offence and also ordered it to pay £8,997 costs.

Annie Righton, the council’s head of public health and community safety, said: “I’m pleased that the serious nature of these offences was confirmed by the court.

“It’s totally unacceptable for a company to expect its employees to go to work and risk their health and safety.”