Mice droppings were discovered scattered across a town centre shop found to have no running water.

A council inspector uncovered evidence of widespread rodent activity at the KGN News convenience store in Faversham during a damning visit last month.

So alarming were their findings that the Preston Street shop was given a zero-star food hygiene rating – the lowest possible.

Its owners were warned urgent improvements were necessary following the inspection on March 6.

A report obtained by KentOnline reveals food was not being protected from contamination due to the presence of mice and other wildlife.

It was discovered there was a risk of packaging such as bags of sugar or children’s toys and sweets becoming contaminated with mice droppings.

One picture taken by inspectors shows Sour Blast Candy Spray coming into contact with rodent excrement.

Swale Borough Council officials told KGN bosses: “At the time of inspection, there was evidence of widespread mice activity.”

Cans of drink were stored in upstairs areas that had fallen into disrepair and had pigeons flying around, coming into close contact with goods.

Sweets such as children’s lollies were being stored on what was described as a “dirty” floor.

Bosses were told to replace a carpet on the shop floor with a smooth surface within four months, saying it was not possible to keep the existing covering clean.

Multiple areas were also found to be grubby and covered in droppings, including the shelving, the shop floor and the storeroom.

Despite visits from pest control contractors – who carried out intense treatments – the general cleanliness of the premises was deemed “unsatisfactory”.

“You need to regularly monitor the pest activity and carry out cleaning,” advised inspectors.

“Cleaning once a month is not sufficient. You need to be monitoring daily, until the pest issues is [sic] under control.

“Prevent access to food sources and carry out pest proofing where necessary.”

There was also no way for workers to wash their hands in the shop due to there being no running water.

Inspectors found workers were using toilet facilities elsewhere in the town – with this needing to be rectified should a planned move for the business not proceed.

The owner of KGN News explained the infestation, telling KentOnline: “The landlord got planning permission to build flats so while renovating pests got into the building.

“It has been cleared since then. We have been reinspected.”

An enforcement revisit has since been carried out, with the inspection report reading: “Stock had been removed from the floor in the shop and drinks had been removed from the 1st floor. There is a vast improvement in the cleaning and organisation of the shop floor.”

Pest control visits also continue to be carried out at the business.

However, the food hygiene score of zero will remain in place until the next scheduled inspection in September 2025 – or if the owners request a revisit.

Plans to renovate the derelict upper half of the building were approved in February 2022.

It is understood KGN bosses hope to move into a new Nisa Local in the town centre, which is poised to take the place of cocktail bar Soirée.

Also taking up the vacant Empire clothing store next door, it would be the first Nisa Local branch in the market town, with plans to merge the two buildings approved earlier this month.