THE new owners of a Chinese takeaway that was at the centre of a death by dangerous driving probe have received threats and abusive letters.

The management of Zen Zen on Redlam said custom was down following the conviction of former worker Tian Bin Xue.

He was caught by police in January after going on the run for three years from a death by dangerous driving charge.

Xue was found after a Enivronmental Health inspection of the takeaway kitchen found ants.

But the new owners, who have nothing to do with Xue, said the takeaway had now got a clean bill of health from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

A spokesman for the new management, which bought the shop for £40,000 four weeks ago, said he wanted to set the record straight.

“In the last few days we’ve had nasty letters, phone calls, wasted food and prank deliveries. People telling us to go back to China and writing abusive insults.

“Zen Zen takeaway is under new management. We’ve got 10 years experience and run six other similar outlets in the Blackburn area.

“This is our livelihood and customers need to know that we are clean and provide excellent food.”