A shocking image shows meat carcasses and offal being transported to a convenience store in the back of an unrefrigerated van.

Food hygiene inspectors have given Store 93 in Ashford a scathing review after uncovering a number of issues following a complaint about deliveries to the business.

The picture captured by a horrified passer-by shows a pile of raw meat mixed together with grocery items on the floor of the van.

A damning report by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) workers reveals how they found offal and other meat items were being stored in open packets - rather than being put in lidded containers.

Other concerns raised include staff wearing "dirty" outdoor clothing, areas of the shop being in poor repair and food in the walk-in fridge, freezer and display cabinet not being labelled.

The local authority inspected the grocery store in Lower Denmark Road on February 23 and slapped the business with a one-star hygiene rating.

"You have been transporting meat carcasses, offal and dry retail goods into your shop all mixed together in one load in your unrefrigerated van," the report said.

"You must cease collecting carcasses and offal in this manner immediately.

"Meat must only be transported in a refrigerated vehicle that is designed so it can be easily cleaned and keeps the meat separate from other food and items."

The council received a complaint on November 14 and visited the shop – which sits at the junction with Beaver Road – to discuss how it was receiving deliveries.

Following enquiries by the authority, it was found the van was being used to buy and transport meat from London to the Ashford store.

The report to the business added: "You must be able to show what you do to make sure that food made or sold at your premises is safe to eat.

"During the inspection of your premises it became clear that you have not done enough to identify control and monitor all steps and activities of your food business that are needed to make certain food is safe.

"You must write down simple details of what you do to make food that is safe to eat.

"You should be able to explain how you have carried this out on my next inspection or revisit."

The report was obtained by KentOnline through a Freedom of Information request.

Inspectors also discovered knives, utensils and a grinder were not clean; areas of the shop were dirty; an approved sanitiser was not being used; and the butchery and freezer area floors were in "poor repair".

There were inadequate facilities for cleaning and disinfecting work tools and equipment.

"The single sink you have in the butchery area is not suitable for the equipment, namely the mincer to be cleaned properly and there is no separate hand wash basin," the report said.

"A deep double sink must be installed which is big enough to accommodate larger pieces of equipment.

"The sink must be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water and be properly connected to the drainage system. There must also be a separate hand wash basin."

There was also no hot water to the sink in the toilet - accessed through the rear yard - and various items were found with labels that do not comply with the UK standards.

An ABC spokesperson said: "During inspections appropriate advice is provided to businesses on how they can improve and they are subsequently able to book a revisit to be re-evaluated."

Store 93 sells alcohol, fresh meat and fish and imported goods purchased from cash and carries.

When contacted by KentOnline, Dewman Lawati, the co-owner of Store 93, says he was “very shocked” by the report.

But he hopes to improve the food hygiene rating and is working to address concerns raised.

"I’m trying to fix everything the council has asked me at the moment..."

“They have asked me to improve my butcher's shop and that’s what I’m doing now; I am making it new and clean," he said.

“They have asked me to produce some paperwork, which I’m doing at the moment.

“I haven’t finished installing the sink and hot water, which is what I’m lacking.”

Mr Lawati says he has stopped transporting meat in the back of an unrefrigerated van.

“We are looking to buy a chiller van so we can start serving again,” he added.

“Everything is in the pipeline. My partner has gone to Nepal and I’m trying to fix everything the council has asked me at the moment. There are so many points.”