An ‘unsafe’ hostel in Woolwich was ordered to shut down after fears of overcrowding.

The Ordnance Arms, in Beresford Square, was found to have crammed 60 beds onto two floors when it was visited by Greenwich Council.

The site had developed the hostel on the upper floors without planning permission.

Concerns over safety and living standards were raised after it was visited by council officers.

They found inadequate toilets, showers, kitchen facilities or living space for the number of the people staying there.

There were also issues relating to fire safety, recycling and waste disposal as well as disabled access.

MORE TOP STORIES They lost an appeal last month against a planning enforcement notice issued by the council for the rogue development.

Now the owners have been ordered to stop operating the hostel from the top floors within the next three months, or face prosecution.

Coun Danny Thorpe, member for regeneration and transport, said: “The hostel will now comply with our notice and stop operating an unsafe inadequate service on its two upstairs floors, or face legal action by the council.”