Council hygiene chiefs found maggots, rotten food and evidence of rodent activity in the main food preparation area at The Sandwich Factory on Wood Street, St Annes.

Pest control and rubbish handling was inadequate and there was no way for workers to wash their hands, Blackpool magistrates heard.

Owner Richard Walmsley, of Agnew Street, Lytham, pleaded guilty to all seven charges against him in court – despite leaving the management of the business in the hands of a third party.

Now town hall bosses hope it will serve as a warning to other Fylde takeaways.

Coun Patricia Fieldhouse, Fylde Council's cabinet member for social wellbeing, said: "This prosecution sends a clear message to all businesses that the overall responsibility for food safety lies with the food business operator, regardless of their distance from the business.

"Fylde Council will not hesitate in instigating legal action where there is a clear breach of food hygiene legislation."

Food safety officers visited the shop on June 22 last year and found a catalogue of problems both inside and outside.

The shop's managers did not have systems in place to ensure hygienic conditions, as required by food safety legislation.

At the time of the offences, Walmsley had left the management of The Sandwich Factory with a third party while he embarked on setting up a new food business in Ireland.

But as the registered owner of the business at the time of the offences, the prosecution fell on him.

Walmsley was fined £405 and ordered to pay £500 costs.

The business has now closed down and is no longer trading from the Wood Street address.