Harrogate Borough Council has closed the kitchen of a pub near Masham over food hygiene fears.

Magistrates granted the council a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order for The Black Swan in Fearby on Friday.

The order entitles the council to prevent the premises trading in any food-related activity immediately.

Such orders are usually granted when an environmental health officer believes serious breaches of standards are putting customers or staff at risk.

York Magistrates Court also ordered the pub to pay £697 in costs to Harrogate Borough Council on or before September 10.

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The pub has received ‘good’ or ‘very good’ food hygiene ratings in the past five years from the council.

It will need to apply for re-inspection before the order can be lifted.

The Stray Ferret contacted The Black Swan today but was told the manager was unavailable.

We also approached Harrogate Borough Council for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.