Mice were spotted in a Kent pub earlier this month, but it's not the first time rodents have made it into some of our favourite eateries. We take a look at some of the county's most shocking cases...

"You are never more than six feet away from a rat", the popular saying goes.

Some may consider it a myth, but there's more truth to it than many of us would care to imagine - with some diners discovering the harsh reality while out for a meal.

Here are five eateries in Kent that suffered a problem with rodents and pests in recent times.

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1. Muggleton Inn, Maidstone High Street

A team of pest controllers were brought in after diners spotted mice scurrying across the floor earlier this month.

It prompted customers of the high street pub, part of the Wetherspoons chain, to leave negative reviews on its TripAdvisor page.

A spokesman later confirmed the pub had brought in pest control teams.

In its inspection last year the Muggleton was rated "good" for hygienic food handling and condition and cleanliness of the building and "very good" for food safety management.

2. The Flying Boat, Dartford

More rodents were spotted in another Wetherspoons establishment.

They were filmed making their ways under people's tables as members of the public took their seats for dinner.

A customer said one had shot out from under a fruit machine.

Pest control teams were brought in and Weatherspoons later apologised to customers.

3. The Water Palace, Sittingbourne

Another restaurant customer reported a rat falling from a ceiling.

It happened almost a year ago at The Water Palace Chinese restaurant in Dover Street, Sittingbourne.

At the time the diner said they were enjoying a meal when the animal landed inches away from them.

The owner shut the restaurant for several weeks following the incident and it was gutted and given a major overhaul.

4. Greggs, The Mall Chequers, Maidstone

The bakery chain hit the headlines in December 2015 when a mouse was spotted falling from the ceiling.

It is thought the animal may have come out of an air conditioning unit.

It is not known whether the mouse was dead or alive.

The shop was was later closed and professionally cleaned before reopening for business.

5. The Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells

Diners enjoying their meals at a prestigious hotel owned by Shepherd Neame were unaware there were rats running around the kitchen, beer cellar and laundry room, a court heard.

Senior environmental health officer Justene Lawal visited The Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells on June 8 last year, after a tip-off that rats were coming up from the basement into the kitchen.