A CHINESE restaurant at the centre of a salmonella outbreak is infested with cockroaches, the Evening Times can reveal.

The popular Princess Rose in Balloch, on the banks of Loch Lomond, is suspected of being the source of the food bug after seven people fell ill.

Public health officials closed the restaurant, in Old Luss Road, yesterday to allow inspectors to carry out tests.

The restaurant is favoured by football and golf stars.

Rangers boss Walter Smith, golfer Justin Rose and TV commentator Peter Allis are among celebrity diners who have eaten at the Princess Rose, which served around 200 people a day.

Four people who ate food from the restaurant and takeaway have confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning and three more have symptoms.

It's understood the outbreak came to light after local GPs noticed several patients were complaining of similar symptoms.

An emergency closure notice in the window, from West Dunbartonshire Council, says: "The premises are implicated in an outbreak of food poisoning and are infested with cockroaches, which presents a significant risk of food contamination."

Local people and visitors turning up to the restaurant last night were shocked to see it had been closed.

One diner, who asked not to be named, said: "We have been coming here for years and the food's always been good. Maybe we had a lucky escape. I won't be back now."

Dr Syed Ahmed, consultant in public health, said: "We are working closely with West Dunbartonshire Council, Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland to identify any other potential cases as well as to identify the cause of this outbreak.

"If anyone has visited the Princess Rose and feels unwell, they should contact their GP or NHS24."

Restaurant manager Evan Chow, 50, said: "Health officials have asked me to close and they are doing some tests.

"I hadn't heard anything before they turned up. I'm not sure why my restaurant is involved.

"We have very high hygiene standards and a very good reputation.

"We never had any problems like this."

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said no more cases of the food bug had been reported today.

He said test results on samples taken from the kitchen were expected on Monday.

The salmonella germ is a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea-type illness.