A KFC in Kent has been rated one of the most unhygienic in the country after an inspector blasted its “poor” level of cleaning.

The fast food restaurant in Canterbury city centre has been given a two-star rating - with only the branch in Guildford High Street, Surrey, sharing a score that low.

At the St George’s Street venue, the inspector found damaged floor tiles not capable of being kept clean and mouldy sealant near washing up sinks.

The Canterbury City Council environmental health officer (EHO) also found the water pressure in the main handwash basin was “poor” during the visit on August 5.

“The level of cleaning under units, racking, cooking equipment and storage is poor,” their report obtained by KentOnline says.

“You must clean and maintain it in a clean condition.

“The water pressure in the main wash hand basin is poor.”

The inspector found some of the walls under an oven were past repair and ordered them to be replaced.

“Floors were holed, cracked, not compatible of being kept clean by the fryers,” the officer added.

“Repair the floor tiles.”

The officer added: “The grease trap was dirty and smelly. It requires cleaning.

“There is mouldy and poor sealant on the washing-up sinks and it needs renewing.”

A KFC spokesperson said: “The Colonel has the highest of standards and since this result, the restaurant team has been working really hard to get things back up to scratch.

“We’ll be getting in touch with the EHO to arrange a follow-up inspection soon”.

According to the Food Standards Agency website, no other KFC has a lower rating than two stars across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Elsewhere in the district, the KFC branch in Chestfield, Whitstable, has previously been branded the “worst in the UK”.

It has racked up more than 100 ‘terrible’ reviews on Tripadvisor - but has a five-star hygiene rating.

Would hygiene rating put us off our lunch?

It is lunchtime in Canterbury and the city centre’s KFC branch is packed full of youngsters hunting for cheap, quick and greasy grub.

As I saunter into the restaurant tucked away in Whitefriars Shopping Centre, I am hit by the smell of frying oil.

Gripping their drumsticks with chins covered in chicken juices, I suspect many are unaware of the findings of the eatery’s recent food hygiene inspection.

The two-star score was not displayed in the St George’s Street branch’s window. While this is not a legal requirement, businesses are encouraged by the Food Standards Agency to do so.

But I am also undeterred by any grubbiness having fasted for 17 hours in anticipation of my fat-laden feast.

I order a three-piece Colonel’s Meal with two wings – plus ultra-thick gravy.

Despite how busy it is, I wait less than a minute for my lunch to be served.

A quick look around reveals a relatively clean floor, with some scraps of chicken lying about where hungry city-goers have missed their mouths.

Almost all of the tables are occupied but I manage to snatch one, which is clean and bereft of any brown paper packaging or crumbs.

There are a few crumbs under the table but nothing to complain about. There is also a worker sweeping the floor.

I peer into the bag and am hit with the familiar aromas of Kentucky-fried chicken.

My food is hot and perfectly cooked – especially the chicken thighs which are dripping with juices.

While standards may have slipped at the time of the inspection, today this KFC appears like any other.