A TRADER who runs market stalls across East Lancashire was fined £500 by magistrates for selling a mouldy tart to a customer.

Glyn Watson, 34, of Croft House Farm, Roughlee, was also ordered to pay £420 costs to Rochdale Council who prosecuted him.

Watson further admitted four charges of contravening the food hygiene laws for which he received a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Mr Keith Burley, on behalf of the council, told magistrates at Rochdale that the proceedings arose out of a purchase by a local woman, Mrs Diane Whittaker, of a Manchester tart from Watson's stall at the Smallbridge market, Rochdale.

Watson also runs market stalls at Accrington and Clitheroe.

The tart was sent to the Manchester science laboratory, where it was concluded the mould had been there at the time of purchase and was still developing. It was one of a consignment of tarts acquired from a local bakery.

An investigation by the council's environmental health department officers also found breaches of the food safety laws, including failure to ensure foodstuffs avoided contamination, no adequate personal hygiene facilites, failure to use suitable protective clothing, and failure to maintain commensurate training.

Watson was said to have a blameless record and had taken steps to meet all the requirements. He had also booked at Accrington and Rossendale College for a training course.

Watson said he had received the tarts in that condition that day but accepted it was up to him to make sure they were up to standard.

However, the base of the tarts were in cups and could not easily be checked.

He had been in the food trade for 15 years and his stalls had met requirements, despite spot checks, until this incident.

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