A village pub has been told it must improve after receiving a one-star rating from food hygiene inspectors.

The Halfway House in Canterbury Road, Challock, was handed the poor score by Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

Inspectors discovered staff were not trained in food hygiene and found more attention to cleaning the floor was needed.

They also raised concerns over the lack of a documented food safety management system.

Pub owners were told the problems must be rectified by the next inspection,

Landlord Syjit Shrestha - who took over the site seven months ago - says he did not have enough time to improve the condition of the pub before the inspection in April.

He said: "Most of the problems were structural and were not to do with food hygiene as the pub was given to me in a broken way.

"We have made a lot of improvements and refurbishments since the inspection and the floor will be changed in the next couple of weeks.

"We are waiting for the council to do another inspection and I know we will get five-star next time after making these changes."

Mr Shrestha says all kitchen staff have now obtained food hygiene certificates following ABC's visit.

A follow-up inspection is due to take place at the end of July to review the establishment.