Bosses of a Chinese takeaway have been told to clean up the premises again - after inspectors found mouldy chopping boards and flies.

Ho Ho Chinese in Folkestone was handed a one-star hygiene rating after a visit from council officers - who also discovered evidence of people smoking and card games in a food preparation area.

It is the second time in 12 months the Bouverie Road West business has been given a poor score - after receiving a zero in September last year when blood stains were discovered on the floor.

The latest pictures show the grim state of the chopping boards, dirty utensils and flies sitting on uncovered egg-fried rice.

Bosses say they have now fixed the issues, and are waiting for the council to reinspect them.

In the inspector's report from the visit on August 20, they said: “The blue-coloured chopping board was found with mould growth on the surface and was heavily scored and dirty.

“The condition of this chopping board has deteriorated to a point where it cannot be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

“It was also placed on top of a dirty cloth. Replace it immediately.

“Some equipment in contact with food, such as spatulas and food storage containers, were not clean.

“Food in the kitchen such as cooked chicken, cooked beef, raw cabbage, raw onions, prawns and mushrooms were being stored in open containers by an open window on the wash-up sink draining board and underneath this sink on a shelf.”

The inspector also noted sesame bread being stored uncovered in a fridge, risking the allergen contaminating other dishes.

Furthermore, cooked chicken was being kept at 13.8 degrees - room temperature - rather than in the fridge.

The inspector continued: “Evidence of several flies were found in the kitchen and basement area where food is prepared.

“Flies were also landing on food, including cooked rice in open containers in the kitchen.

“These pests carry food poisoning bacteria and can contaminate food and food surfaces they land on.

“The windows in the kitchen and the basement were left open and provided easy access for these pests.

“Cooked noodles were being stored in an open container at the top of the staircase from the basement by an open back door, exposing the food to the risk of contamination.”

Evidence of smoking was also discovered in the basement, which was also being used to make food.

There were also card games and people eating in the room, suggesting it is used for “social purposes by non-food handlers”, and staff were not using aprons.

The inspectors said: “At the time of our visit, there were women and children eating a meal in the food preparation area and children were observed playing in the vicinity of the bins in the yard outside and coming back in.

“Furthermore, there were games (e.g. cards and Mahjong) as well as magazines and evidence of smoking in this food preparation area which suggests this is being used for social purposes by non-food handlers.

“However, this is a designated food handing and preparation area and must only be used for this purpose due to the risk of contamination of food.

Dirt and grease were found on the walls, underneath equipment, on door handles, taps, chest freezer lids, the oven and the fat fryer.

Bosses were given a long list of improvements they need to make.

This included setting up a pest control contract, putting in a new insect catcher, ensuring food is wrapped or stored in clean, lidded, washable containers, removing dirty and broken equipment and separating areas for personal use and cooking.

During last September’s inspection, mould was also prevalent on the walls and chopping boards.

The floor covering in the basement walk-in chiller was dirty with dried blood spills.

Bosses voluntarily shut the business for a spruce up, and it later reopened and achieved a three-star hygiene rating the following month.

A manager at the takeaway told KentOnline: “We closed for two days and fixed everything and are now waiting for the council to reinspect us.

“We have new chopping boards, have repainted and have covered food.

“We have put the prawns and veg in the fridge and are always keeping meat in the fridge.”

“The floors have been cleaned and we have put a fly covering over the basement door, and replaced the window.”

She added that prawn toast was now being properly stored to avoid cross-contamination and that socialising and smoking in the basement had stopped.