Police are investigating allegations of food contamination at a crown court in east London.

Judges' lunches at Snaresbrook crown court were allegedly spiked with urine, according to a report in the Sun newspaper on Friday.

The report said it was feared someone with a grudge against the justice system had launched a revenge campaign.

Traces of urine were believed to have been found in soups, salads and sandwiches, it said.

A private dining room known as the advocates' lounge has been shut until further notice, the newspaper added.

Staff working there are believed to have been suspended while the investigation goes on, it said, adding that all are thought to have been supplied to the court by Eurest Services, a division of the catering giant Compass.

A spokeswoman for Eurest Services said it was "aware of a suspected case of food contamination".

She said: "We are currently investigating the matter and therefore cannot comment further at this stage. Health and safety is our number one operational priority, we have robust policies in place and take such matters extremely seriously."

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "Police were called at approximately 4pm on Tuesday 17 January, and are jointly investigating an allegation of food contamination with Redbridge council. There have been no arrests, and inquiries continue."