A Chinese takeaway has been slapped with a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found mice droppings and gnawed food containers.

Thanet District Council (TDC) officials made a series of filthy discoveries when visiting Pagoda Chinese in Northdown Road, Margate.

Not only did they find evidence of vermin, but exposed food was found in the kitchen, where areas were grimy, and electricity and gas supplies were deemed unsafe.

The authority handed the takeaway the second-lowest possible hygiene score – meaning ‘major improvement (is) necessary’ – as it ordered Pagoda bosses to clean up their act after the February 5 visit.

During the probe, the officer unearthed evidence of mice being present in the external food store, where droppings could be seen and food containers chewed.

There was also food debris behind the freezers and the general cleanliness was described in the officer’s report as “poor”.

In official papers handed to Pagoda bosses, inspectors added: “Ensure that the external food store room is thoroughly cleaned and that all food being stored in there is being kept inside clean, gnaw-proof containers that can be wiped clean.

“Remove all debris and old droppings from the floors and shelving.

“You should employ a competent person to carry out a pest control inspection and put in place measures to control rodents and prevent them from accessing food areas.”

Ordering a deep clean, the inspector stressed the kitchen had been found in “poor hygienic condition” containing “dirty, greasy and stained” equipment.

They also described cooking appliances as “blackened” while light switches, electrical plugs, sockets, microwave handles other appliances were filthy – as were the floors.

Food contact surfaces such as chopping boards were stained, which can stop them from being cleaned properly.

A yellow rubber glove was left lying on a container of defrosting spare ribs, while food including meat was uncovered and “exposed to damage” in the walk-in chiller, chest freezers and kitchen.

Goods were also being stored in dirty and damaged containers, which were visibly worn, stained, and potential contaminants.

The hand wash basin was not clean, full of utensils and did not have a supply of soap or hand-drying materials.

TDC’s inspector told Pagoda bosses the establishment must have hot and cold running water at all times.

“The law says that food must always be protected from contamination and from harmful deterioration,” its officer said.

“You must keep all foods covered whilst in storage or while they are not in use in the kitchen.

“You must remove dirty, stained and damaged plastic containers from use.”

The main fluorescent strip light in the kitchen above the preparation and washing-up area did not have a safety cover.

Exposed fluorescent lights can break and cause shattered glass to fall into the kitchen and food preparation areas.

At the time of the visit, a commercial gas safety or electrical safety certificate could not be produced for the premises.

Simple records of monitoring, opening or closing checks as part of food safety management rules were also not being kept.

When TDC officers took enforcement action following the February inspection, they found Pagoda bosses had remedied some issues during a revisit on March 20.

However, it was still yet to have the electrics inspected by a qualified person or fit a light cover and a one out of five star hygiene rating remains.

“This level of cleaning must be carried out regularly and this standard of hygiene either maintained or improved,” said the inspector’s subsequent report.

“I recommend that old cookware and equipment is gradually replaced with new items that are easier to keep clean.”

Pagoda has been contacted for comment.