A high street curry house has received a five-star hygiene rating - 11 months after inspectors found insects and cigarettes in its kitchen.

Badsha Indian Cuisine, which has been serving customers for almost 40 years in West Cross, Tenterden, was hit with a zero-star score in June last year.

Food safety officers at Ashford Borough Council (ABC) gave the eatery the rating - the worst grade available - after finding dirty fridges, rotten vegetables, insects in store rooms and half-smoked cigarettes in food-handling areas.

Raw chicken had also been washed and left in a bucket within close proximity of salad leaves - increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

However, staff quickly got their act together and saw their efforts rewarded with an improved three-star rating in February.

Yet this wasn't satisfying enough for owner, Abul Kalam Azad Suton, who asked for another visit this spring.

Inspectors arrived on April 24 and increased it to the highest rating of five stars.

"Of course I am very happy and as a team we are very pleased,” Mr Suton, 64, said.

"The inspection last year didn't feel too much different to this latest one.

"However, we have been dedicated more than ever to serving the best food for them.

"Customers have been so supportive towards us and I am so appreciative of that.

"So I welcome everyone to come and enjoy our food."

Mr Suton started his first business, Shapla Tandoori, in East Grinstead in 1985.

From there, he opened Badsha Indian Cuisine the following year.

He also opened Azad Restaurant in 2000, in East Grinstead, however his sole focus is now on growing his restaurant in Tenterden to even bigger heights.

"We want people dining here with their family and friends," Mr Suton added.

"Our main goal now is to maintain our high standards.

"But I also believe we can participate in competitions for some curry awards like we have before.”

In 2021, the curry house was named the best restaurant in Kent at the Euro Asia Curry Awards.