AN infestation of German cockroaches has closed down a food wholesaler which supplies restaurants and shops across the region.

Darlington Borough Council moved swiftly to close East West Foods in Gladstone Street, Darlington, and Surma Food Store, in the same street, after the invasive insects were discovered.

Yesterday, as work was well under way to contain the infestation, experts confirmed thousands of the cockroaches had been found in the premises.

The council has already alerted other local authorities about the situation, as the business supplies restaurants and shops across the region and in Bradford.

German cockroaches breed quickly, are difficult to eradicate and can carry any disease with which they come into contact.

Barry Pearson, environmental health manager at the council, said: “These cockroaches get into places that can’t be effectively cleaned, and will carry bacteria from places that food normally wouldn’t be in contact with, such as drains, sewers and toilets.”

He said that all nearby food shops and restaurants had been warned of the situation, but there is no evidence to suggest the infestation had spread.

Officials are now racing to identify all possible outlets that have dealt with the store, to contain any possible spread.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “We are talking to neighbouring businesses and other local authorities that may have businesses supplied by East West Foods.

“The business will remain closed until we are sure the infestation has been controlled.”

Mr Pearson said the business could reopen within two weeks.

He said the premises were found by inspectors to be clean, and his belief was that the insects had arrived with a delivery.

A spokeswoman for Stockton Borough Council said yesterday: “Within the past 24 hours, we have written to the borough’s 22 Asian cuisine restaurants and takeaways to warn them that their goods could be contaminated if they were purchased from this Darlington store.

“Environmental health officers inspected outlets on Wednesday night to lay cockroach traps, and have asked proprietors for a list of all their suppliers.

“The public’s health is our priority, and the council will take whatever action is appropriate to ensure they are not at risk.”

No one at East West Foods was available for comment.

Cockroach facts

● Although it has wings, the German cockroach is unable to fly.

● They like warmth, and are therefore most commonly found in nursing homes, restaurants and hotels.

● They are recognisable by their light-brown colour, with two dark stripes along the length of the thorax.

● Although starch, sugars, grease and meats are their preferred food, they are known to eat soap, glue and toothpaste.

● They commonly measure up to 16mm, although they are known to grow bigger under certain circumstances.

● Despite their name, the German cockroach is originally from Asia.

● They are most active at night.

● They can be difficult to eradicate because of their ability to get into enclosed spaces, and because of their fast reproduction rates.

● The species’ young live off excretions and moults from the adults.