A bookmaker took a gamble when it left rubbish festering in the middle of the road – and paid the price in court.

Paddy Power, in West Green Road, Tottenham, was forced to pay more than £3,000 after waste was left outside in January.

Staff at the shop ignored a request from Haringey Borough Council to clear it up, despite having previously been issued with a fine.

Tottenham Magistrates Court heard how representatives from the shop admitted to the offence and apologised.

The bookmakers was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay costs of £725.

Councillor Stuart McNamara, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Once Paddy Power ignored our request to clean up this waste, it was odds-on that they were going to face strong action.

“We expect the same from our businesses as we do from our residents – take pride in our borough and don’t dump on our streets. Where we see this is not happening, we will immediately take tough measures against those responsible.”