A “long-term mice infestation” caused a Wallasey shop to be temporarily closed, amid disturbing reports of the rodents eating food and covering it in their rancid fluids.

The most worrying revelation is how much access mice had to food sold by the shop – called MP Food Bargain Beers in Seabank Road, Wallasey.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the LDRS revealed a report which detailed “[numerous crisp] packets whose outside were contaminated with faecal matter and were sticky as a result of mouse urine and grease off their fur”.

In every inspection since 2016, signs of mice activity has been clear. The report, produced on August 29 this year, identified “numerous droppings throughout the premises, smear marks and gnawed food products”.

Pest control went to the shop on June 3 and “possibly on one other occasion”.

Bait boxes were put down, but no-one monitored them, so once they were empty the mice would carry on eating the shop’s food.

Other problems blighted the shop as well.

A build-up of dirt, food debris and odd items such as “old tin cans underneath shelving units” were found by inspectors and foods were being sold beyond their use by date.

For these reasons, the premises was temporarily closed.

However, because “suitable measures”, including “the removal of affected food products, the cleaning and disinfection of the premises and the provision of sufficient baiting of the premises” were undertaken, the shop was allowed to reopen.

A revisit was due to take place three-four weeks after this inspection to ensure the shop’s improvements are maintained. A report of this visit has not yet been given to the LDRS.

The LDRS has attempted to contact MP Food Bargain Beers for a response.