A discount retailer will appear in court accused of failing to prevent mouse infestations and selling food "unfit for human consumption" in two of its Croydon shops.

Mouse droppings, dirt and rubbish were allegedly discovered by hygiene inspectors at town-centre branches of 99p Stores in North End and Church Street.

Their owner, 99p Stores Limited, based in Northampton, has been charged with ten counts of failure to comply with food safety regulation.

The North End store, visited by inspectors on August 8, is accused of failing to control pests, protect food from contamination, ensure the premises were clean, manage waste, and correctly store and dispose of food.

The Church Street branch, inspected on October 2, is alleged to have knowingly placed unsafe food on display during a mouse infestation, exposing customers to products that "could reasonably be assessed to be either injurious to health or unfit for human consumption".

It is also accused of failing to control pests, protect food from contamination and ensure the premises were clean.

The company will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on October 20.