A Maidstone curry house which was forced to shut because of a cockroach infestation has been given the all-clear by health officials.

Shiper Karim, the owner of Tandoor Mahal, has expressed delight after Maidstone Borough Council decided the eatery was no longer a public health risk.

The establishment, which went into liquidation last month, has been closed since February 6, and will open again this evening, pest-free.

Council officers intervened after a cockroach was spotted clinging to the manager's tie.

The Medway Street eatery was also shut because of concerns about maintenance and cleanliness.

Despite the restaurant's financial problems, Shiper and his brother Shalim have borrowed up to £20,000 from friends and family for a restaurant-wide refurbishment.

They purchased new equipment, redecorated, and also bought in pest control to get rid of the bugs.

Shiper said: "We are relieved. We are now looking forward to the future."

A business enters liquidation when it cannot pay its obligations on time.

Speaking earlier this week, the siblings said they were in the process of paying their debts.

A Maidstone Borough Council spokeswoman confirmed a hygiene emergency prohibition order placed on the restaurant has now been lifted.

She said: "Senior environmental health officers visited Tandoor Mahal on behalf of the council today to assess if the imminent risk has been removed.

"The authority certifies that it is satisfied that the business has taken sufficient measures to remove the health risk and there is no longer an imminent risk to public health at this premises.

"The restaurant has now been allowed to reopen, revisits will be undertaken by officers to ensure that these standards are being maintained."

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