Mr Knipe won the milkman of the year competition

Health chiefs from South Lakeland District Council say the Scarbrae poultry farm near Levens, poses an "imminent danger to health".

The plant is run by David Knipe, who was named as milkman of the year earlier this year.

The closure does not affect Mr Knipe's milk operation, which involves milk from near Carnforth.

Mr Knipe says he is aware of problems at the plant and is cooperating with health officials.

Structural problems

The closure followed checks by environmental health officers, which found an infestation of rats, structural problems and "an accumulation of filth, feathers and extraneous matter".

Officers obtained an order under section 12 of the food safety act from Kendal magistrates.

The order means no food can be produced for human consumption until officials are satisfied with improvements.

The plant houses several hundred barn chicken.

The rest of Mr Knipe's business is unaffected and he can continue to sell meat and poultry as long it does not originate from his own plant.

A spokesman for South Lakeland's environmental health department said officers were continuing to investigate the plant and that legal proceedings were an option.