AN Elland pizza parlour was forced to close after a mice infestation.

An ‘active’ infestation was discovered in the basement and kitchen of JJ’s at Town Hall buildings at Southgate in Elland on Wednesday night.

A hygiene prohibition notice was served to prevent food from being made or sold at the site. Other premises nearby were checked and no evidence of infestation was found.

Calderdale Council’s head of housing and environment Mark Thompson said: “With any food business, pest control should be in place and not left to luck.

“Mice carry a number of highly contagious diseases that are transmissible to humans and some of them can have long term serious health effects.

“It was the thorough inspection and swift action taken by the officers that prevented an outbreak of food poisoning affecting Calderdale residents.”

All of the visits to restaurants and takeaways in Calderdale are unannounced and are inspected when the business is trading. JJ’s will have to comply with the notice and act to clear the infestation.