A ROSSENDALE takeaway owner has been fined for selling hot food late at night without a licence.

Ifran Akhtar, the owner of Dixy’s Chicken, Manchester Road, Haslingden, was ordered to pay £720 at Reedley Magistrates Court for selling hot food without permission after 11pm.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to carrying on a licensable activity without authorisation.

Mr Akhta was observed by two of Rossendale Borough Council’s licensing enforcement officers during routine late night visits in September last year.

Shortly after, Mr Akhtar applied for a licence to sell late-night refreshments, which the council has since granted.

Anyone who wants to serve hot food after 11pm is required to apply for a licence costing from £100 up to £635.

Chair of Rossendale licensing Coun Jimmy Eaton said: “The licence would have cost Mr Akhtar £100 but instead he is now out of pocket to the tune of £720 plus his own legal fees.”