Owners of a hotel accused of having "contempt" for their customers' health have been fined £3,100 for their filthy kitchens.

A surprise inspection uncovered several breaches of hygiene regulations at the Grand Ocean Hotel, Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, Brighton.

The fine comes a year after the hotel was ordered to pay more than £6,000 for other kitchen hygiene offences.

Brighton magistrates heard yesterday that inspector Catherine Mann made an unannounced visit in April.

She found mould, dirt, grease, fans that did not work and insufficient handwashing facilities in a kitchen which feeds up to 2,000 people.

Len Batten, prosecuting on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "When Mrs Mann went into the kitchen her first impression was that the floor was dirty and grubby.

"Fridges were covered with food debris and dirt which stuck to her finger and when she got on to her hands and knees she found dirt and dried food."

There were similar findings underneath the salad area and the raw meat chiller needed "a thorough cleaning".

Ceiling tiles were dirty, stained and warped and flakes of paint were coming off the walls. A handwashing sink did not have soap.

Mr Batten said: "Carbonised food was found in the hot food cabinets and none of the fans worked. There was severe black mould on the walls."

Sara-Lise Howe, defending, said: "The picture painted doesn't sound very good but on the day of the visit four fans had been installed and were waiting to be connected.

"In all the best kitchens you could find cracked and chipped tiles."

She explained that some cabinets were too heavy to lift for one person to clean under them and that carbonised food found was scheduled to be cleaned that day.

General manager David Regan said floor tiles were gradually being replaced.

Magistrate Ken Hopkins said: "There has clearly been an effort to clean the place up."

The hotel was also ordered to pay £2,125 towards court costs.

Mr Regan said afterwards: "We take these things very seriously.

"The magistrates were clearly impressed with our improvements in the kitchens since the last prosecutions."

A council spokesperson said: "We are extremely disappointed to have had to prosecute the hotel twice in two years.

"The conditions our environmental health officers found showed contempt for the health and safety of their customers.

"We very much hope they learn their lesson this time and improve their hygiene procedures on a permanent basis."

Wednesday July 30, 2003