THESE are the images of a filthy Hampshire takeaway that saw the former owner have to fork out more than £3,000.

Buckets had been filled with used toilet paper and clothes were left soaking next to food that would be served to customers.

It even saw people living in a storeroom.

The Lime Tree takeaway, which is now under new ownership, was left in a filthy condition in December 2015 when environmental health officers visited the restaurant.

The takeaway, in Carisbrooke Road, Gosport, had food debris ground into the floor of the kitchen, and piles of old food swept into corners.

Walls and other areas were splattered with greasy dirt and dried food.

Chicken was defrosting in a sink with a dirty tray sat in the water, and lots of food sat out at room temperature.

Mahmud Salam pleaded not guilty to the nine related offences as owner at the time, but was found guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.

Salam, 41, of Woodward Close, Gosport, was fined £1,650 and ordered to pay £1,350 costs as well as a £25 victim surcharge.

The toilet and shower room were dirty and in the room was a bucket filled with used toilet paper.

Mark Hook, leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: “We will not tolerate food businesses putting the public at risk in this way.

“We work with businesses to help them make improvements, but if they fail to maintain standards then we will take them to court.”

When the council’s environment officers visited the facility in December 2015, the premises closed voluntarily to clean and dispose of old food.

An inspection three days later found ‘significant improvement’, according to the council, but an unannounced visit in February 2016 found further hygiene offences.

The council confirmed that Salam has now sold the takeaway after being found guilty of the offences, which spanned cleanliness, staff training and safety procedures.