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A South Tyneside businessman has been ordered to pay more than £1,600 in penalties for breaching building regulations.

Mohammed Vaseem Mukhtar was fined £833 and told to pay almost £800 in costs after pleading guilty to two offences.

Mukhtar carried out works to his restaurant, 'Man Vs Food', on Hudson Street, South Shields, to convert it into a children's nursery without approval or inspection from Building Control.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ took him to court after repeated warnings that he needed to apply to change the premises' use and supply the necessary supporting documentation.

Mukhtar cancelled several visits by inspectors, and when they eventually got on site in August last year, a huge amount of building work had already been completed and covered over.

A spokesperson for Â鶹ÊÓƵ said: "Building regulations are there to protect people's health, safety and welfare and we have a legal duty to enforce them.

"No application or plans were submitted for these works so the there was no formal vetting process.

"This means there could have been issues around the building's structural integrity, leading to possible collapse, means of escape in case of emergency and ventilation.

"These risks become even greater when you consider this building's proposed use as a nursery meaning its occupants would include babies and toddlers.

"The owner was asked on multiple occasions to submit an application and plans but showed a total disregard for building regulations."

Mukhtar was prosecuted for breaching The Building Regulations 2010 and was sentenced by South Tyneside magistrates last week.