Local authorities in Wigan have been granted permission by a court to destroy boxes of “dubious fish pies” imported from Malta.

WiganToday reported that the 150 pies were being kept at a cold store following an international investigation into illegally-imported food.

The120 lampuki pies and 30 octopus dishes had been imported by London-based firm Le Malte Foods.

Investigations revealed they had not been made according to European standards and regulations.

Wigan Council stressed none of the potentially dangerous pies had been offered for sale to the public.

Wigan Council manager for business compliance and improvement, Julie Searing, said: “The council detained this imported product because of concerns about its origin.

The newspaper said Maltese authorities confirmed that the business in Malta from where the pies were imported had not been granted the necessary approval and the safety of the food could not be guaranteed.

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