Some readers may found an image of a decaying mouse included in this article distressing.

A Chinese takeaway in Walthamstow was forced to close after the council discovered a “large-scale” infestation.

Wong’s Chinese takeaway on Wood Street was inspected by Waltham Forest Council food safety officers on October 12 and instantly shut down.

Pictures taken at the takeaway show the rotting corpse of a mouse in a storeroom and a solid layer of mouse droppings on top of the energy meter.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

An encrusted layer of mouse droppings on an energy meter (Waltham Forest Council)

The takeaway will not be allowed to reopen until it can demonstrate it no longer poses a health risk to customers.

Deputy leader Cllr Clyde Loakes said: “We will continue to target any businesses with vermin infestations, serving and selling food to the public.

“The health of our residents is a number one priority - and businesses ignoring that fact will risk being shut down on the day."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

A decaying mouse corpse found in the storeroom (Waltham Forest Council)

Thames Magistrates’ Court approved the decision to close the restaurant on October 19 and awarded costs of £980 to the Council.

According to Deliveroo, the takeaway’s menu included a set dinner for one for £8.80. It had a rating of 4.4 stars out of a possible five.

The ratings of more than 1,700 restaurants, takeaways and other food premises in Waltham Forest can be found here.

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