A Chinese takeaway has been handed a one-star hygiene rating after an inspector found a gaping hole in the ceiling and cooked duck in cardboard boxes.

Mould was also growing on the storeroom wall but bosses at The Golden Wye say they do not believe any customers were put at risk and insist they have now cleaned up their act.

Following the initial visit in July, an inspector returned a month later and, due to the lack of progress made, Ashford Borough Council gave the village business a hygiene improvement notice.

The document specifies what actions must be taken to ensure regulations are complied with - and that patrons can be jailed for up to two years if these rules are not followed.

The Golden Wye’s owner - who did not wish to be named - says all the issues have been addressed and they are awaiting a new rating.

The report from July 26 said: “Cooked duck was being cooled down in used cardboard packaging.

“Food must be stored in appropriate food-grade containers to prevent contamination from occurring.

“Raw meat was observed being stored or defrosted, uncovered and under the kitchen sink at room temperature.

“Many trays of food in the walk-in chiller were found to be uncovered and open to potential contamination.”

Dirty scoops used for rice were also found at the business in Church Street, Wye, near Ashford.

Furthermore, “high-risk” chicken and prawns were kept on the worktop at 17°C.

The report said: “Touchpoints including light switches, door handles and plug sockets, around corners, under and around equipment, and fridge and freezer seals all require more detailed, thorough cleaning and disinfection.”

Damage to the building itself was noted, including the floor in the walk-in chiller and walls in the corridors.

Mould was growing on the wall of the storeroom and bosses were ordered to keep everything in a good, clean condition.

The inspector added: “The ceiling of the back storeroom where you are cooling and storing foods had a large hole and crumbling, flaking plaster.

“The ceiling must be renewed to leave the surface in a way that prevents the accumulation of dirt, and reduces condensation and mould growth.”

They said some of the issues seen in July had been flagged following a previous three-star inspection, including general cleanliness and poor storing of food.

An inspector revisited the restaurant on August 19 and were “not satisfied with the improvement made”.

As a result, they handed bosses the hygiene improvement notice, along with a list of changes to make by September 23.

The owner of more than a decade told KentOnline: “Everything has been fixed and all the points made have been addressed.

“We are now waiting for a new rating.

“We are doing our best and complied with everything and I do not believe customers were put at risk.

“The rules are always changing in the food industry. It’s never-ending.

“I think that hygiene inspectors should work with businesses and help them before giving them a bad rating.”