A BETTING shop has been fined £28,000 after an investigation revealed electrical works posed a threat of death or serious injury to customers and staff.

Needwood Racing, in Tottington, Bury, was investigated by Bury Council and the company, which has around 40 shops nationwide, admitted five charges under health and safety at work legislation.

Magistrates in Bury ordered the firm to pay £2,650 local authority costs following the prosecution brought by the council's environmental health team.

Environmental health officer Ruth Drury had visited the company's shop in Chapel Street, Tottington, in February last year after being tipped off by a colleague about conditions. She said the electrical installation appeared to be in unfinished condition.

A council electrical engineer confirmed her concerns and reported that some of the conditions were imminently dangerous and required urgent attention - and were in breach of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.