A Norfolk slaughterhouse has had its operations suspended after concerns were raised over the welfare of animals.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) halted operations at Simply Halal in Banham, near Diss, after it was given undercover footage filmed by Hillside Animal Sanctuary, based near Norwich.

An investigator from the sanctuary gained access to the farm via unlocked doors after it was claimed there were issues over the slaughter of cows and sheep.

Hidden cameras captured the slaughter of the animals between early February and mid-March this year.

This newspaper has seen the footage and decided not to publish it. The video shows very distressed animals.

A spokesman for the FSA said: 'The FSA suspended certificates of competence for a number of individuals seen in the footage, as they are not considered to be fit and proper persons to handle animals.

'Animal welfare is a top priority for the FSA and we will take appropriate action against any businesses and individuals who breach the strict rules that should be followed in all approved abattoirs.'

Simply Halal were unavailable for comment on Thursday, but But Roger Carr, who runs Simply Halal, told the Mirror: 'We've got a vet here full time. We've got two meat inspectors. We've got an HMC inspector here full time. If there was a problem, they would tell us.'

Simply Halal was also investigated in 2013 when the FSA found it sold 25 beef quarters to a meat wholesaler without first removing the vertebral column, which is at risk of carrying Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). There was no risk to the public, Simply Halal said at the time.