A HAMPSHIRE discount store has been fined more than £100,000 for failing to tackle a massive mouse infestation.

"Large numbers of mouse droppings" and gnawed food were found at the 99p Store in the Swan Centre, Eastleigh.

A routine council inspection in January found the contamination in the store's warehouse dated back several months and the store failed to address concerns from pest controllers.

99p Stores Ltd was fined £90,000 plus £12,492 legal costs yesterday after pleading guilty to two food hygiene offences and a separate health and safety offence.

Daily Echo:

Eastleigh Borough Council brought the prosecution at Southampton Crown Court.

A spokesman said: "Officers from Eastleigh Borough Council’s Environmental Health team identified a mouse infestation in the store’s warehouse that dated back to at least September 2014.

"There were large numbers of mouse droppings and evidence of food being gnawed. The warehouse was so overstocked the company’s pest control contractor couldn’t carry out proper inspections and their concerns were not followed up."

Poundland took over the shop last year after a £55m national takeover and has carried out "extensive improvements" to the Eastleigh store, according to the council.

Cllr Anne Winstanley, cabinet member for housing and environmental health, said: “We are pleased that the court recognised the seriousness of these offences and that this was reflected in the fines and costs handed out to 99p Stores Ltd.

“It is a tribute to the council team’s professionalism and dedication to protecting public health that this case has been brought to a successful conclusion.”

A Poundland spokesperson said:The offences at the Eastleigh 99p Stores are historical and not indicative of the standards under our new management.

"Poundland takes matters relating to the health and safety of its colleagues and customers very seriously."

The Swan Centre were unavailable for comment on Thursday night.