This is the moment shocked customers discover a hungry mouse sniffing around a pastry counter in eastern China.

The incident was filmed by an unnamed witness at a shop called Master Bao in the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

In the video, which was shared on Douyin – the Chinese version of TikTok – a small mouse can be seen walking between the glass and the display cabinet.

Just millimetres from the pastries prepared by staff in the store, the rodent seems to be looking for a way through for a free lunch.

The shop later came out with an official apology to its customers and announced that it had closed for a deep clean after all the prepared food has been destroyed.

The shop also contacted the local food safety department and the engineering department to check for loopholes.

Master Bao said in an official statement (in Chinese): “We have been committed to making our own pastries safe and delicious, making them for our parents and our children.

“All of our stores have adopted the form of bright kitchens and bright stoves, and consumers can supervise all the processes of our production through transparent display windows and real-time video surveillance.

“Food safety is our top priority and we never dare to relax for a moment.

“We sincerely accept everyone’s criticism and supervision of us.

“We will summarise the problems of this incident, learn lessons, and strive to improve.”