An Ely catering company has been fined thousands of pounds for a number of food hygiene breaches.

A spot-check on Chambers & Fenner Limited, which caters for events including weddings, christenings and parties, found out-of-date food on the premises including smoked salmon, clotted cream, Caesar dressing and a number of filled rolls.

Inspectors also identified black mould growth on the fridge and freezer. Staff did not know what temperature to store chilled food and failed to wash their hands correctly. Some foods were not stored properly and essential monitoring records had been incorrectly filled out.

The company was fined £5,000 at Cambridge Magistrates Court, ordered to pay the sum of £1,000 towards prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

The business owner Deborah Fenner was ordered to pay a fine of £2,000 and £793.66 towards prosecution costs.

Councillor Carol Sennitt, service delivery champion for environmental services, said: "When an inspector made an unannounced visit to Chambers & Fenner last July, it revealed no effective food safety management system and poor hygiene standards.

“Public safety is very important and in this case public health was deemed to be at risk.”

"We work very hard with businesses in the area to try to ensure they keep up food safety standards.

“In this case we were disappointed to find advice had not been followed and standards had slipped. For the protection of the public we had to take legal action."

She added: “Business owners who run food establishments must comply with food laws or be prepared to face the consequences – we will not allow them to put safety of at risk.

“Our environmental health team is here to help and if you do run an establishment and you need advice around food legislation please get in touch.”