OWNERS of a Greenwich fine dining restaurant have been fined around £20,000 after raw sewage was found in sinks - covered with cling film.

Waterside establishment The Trafalgar Tavern was closed briefly after the shocking food hygiene danger was uncovered by Greenwich environmental health inspectors on February 16 last year.

A mouse infestation was also found by inspectors – with droppings discovered in the main kitchen, on shelves and in a store room.

The sewage had backed up into sinks with no hand washing facilities available for staff.

Greenwich Inc Trading Limited, which runs the Park Row based tavern, were fined a total £19,190.52 for serious breaches of food hygiene at Greenwich Magistrates’ Court on February 20.

Following the inspection, the premises were given a temporary closure order while urgent improvements including a deep clean were made and they reopened on February 21 last year.

Greenwich Council cabinet member for community safety and the environment Councillor Maureen O’Mara said: “The Royal Borough has a legal duty to ensure that local food premises operate safely and we always offer advice and guidance to food businesses to help them meet their legal requirements.

“We’re also committed to ensuring people can visit and eat at local restaurants across the Royal Borough in the knowledge safe and essential food hygiene standards are being followed.”