PUB firm Greene King has been ordered to pay nearly �10,000 in fines and costs after a health inspector discovered filthy kitchens at an historic inn.

The Ferryboat Inn, near St Ives in Cambridgeshire was subjected to a snap inspection by the council officer after a member of the public complained of being ill after eating at the pub, which is thought to be England’s oldest inn, dating back to Anglo Saxon times.

Rubbish was found strewn around the yard and a thick layer of congealed fat was discovered in the bottom of an oven.

Greene King offered a public apology when it appeared before magistrates at Huntingdon and admitted an offence of failing to maintain the premises.

A further 10 charges were withdrawn by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Magistrates fined Greene King �3,250 and ordered the firm to pay �6,018.58 costs, along with a �15 victim surcharge.

Presiding magistrate Celia Chignell said: “People who come to eat in establishments need to know they are eating in a clean and safe environment.”

Mark Watson, for Greene King, said the company wanted to apologise publicly.

“Clearly unacceptable conditions at the premises were found on that day. The company takes this matter very seriously,” he said.

He said the firm relied on staff and that the site manager had not been working as he should have been.

Mr Watson said the manager had been disciplined and staff retained, with �30,000 being spent on improving the kitchen.

He said the incident happened after the pub had been particularly busy on a hot bank holiday weekend when rubbish was not collected and just before the firm’s own summer waste collection scheme came into effect.

A year ago, Greene King was ordered to pay �37,000 in fines and costs after admitting hygiene offences at Cambridge’s famous pub, The Eagle.