A BLACKPOOL chip shop owner who let food debris, grease and dirt build up in his rundown takeaway has been fined £1600 by Blackpool magistrates.

Andreas Yiasoumi, 59, of Carlisle Avenue, Blackpool -- owner of The Georgian, Talbot Road, Blackpool --pleaded guilty on Friday to 16 offences under the 1995 Food Safety Regulations.

Huw Dickson, prosecuting, told the court how two Blackpool Borough Council environmental health officers visited The Georgian on September 5 last year and inspected the front servery and kitchen.

They found a door seal on one fridge had split and gone mouldy, there was a build up of food debris behind a chest freezer, food debris and grease on the oven, frying range and in a microwave, he said.

The inspectors also found damage to lino, tiles missing, cobwebs, stagnant water, a broken window and gaps under and around the back door which could allow vermin to get in, the court heard.

Mr Dickson said environmental health officers had made previous visits and sent Yiasoumi 14 warning letters in eight years from August 1993 to November 2001.

Michael Ball, defending, said the fish and chips and kebab shop was a small family business that had suffered a 50 per cent drop in takings as a result of publicity surrounding the case.

He told magistrates that despite the support of customers the business was now 'barely profitable', Yiasoumi had 'barely managed to stave off' bailiffs from his home, and the lease on The Georgian -- up in 12 months' time -- may not be renewed.

"Nobody has had food poisoning. Nobody has complained.

"All of the work which is the subject matter of these proceedings has now been carried out to the satisfaction of the environmental health officers. All of the lapses have been rectified," Mr Ball said.

Magistrates said they took into account Yiasoumi's circumstances, but said he had received 'numerous warnings'.

He was fined £1600, plus £500 towards costs.

The Georgian, Talbot Road, Blackpool, run by Andreas Yiasoumi, has no connection with The Georgian Caf, Springfield Road, Blackpool.