It may be one of Kent’s top attractions, but when it comes to food hygiene, this isn’t quite the case.

Margate’s iconic Dreamland has been handed a score of one for food hygiene - the second worst rating possible.

It meant major improvement was necessary after food standards officials found it wasn’t up to scratch at the last inspection on Tuesday, August 8.

On two of the three areas inspected by a food safety officer - cleanliness and the condition of facilities and building and management of food safety - the theme park was told major improvement was necessary.

On the third category, hygienic food handling, it was generally satisfactory.

The park, however, has put the damning rating down to flooding from heavy rainfall.

Ziggy’s Rooftop Bar and the Cinque Ports pub shut for repair work following the inspection, and reopened in September.

A spokesman for Dreamland said: “In August we experienced flooding at Ziggy’s Rooftop Bar and the Cinque Ports pub due to heavy rainfall.

“The buildings are renovated Victorian buildings and the flooding caused a number of operational issues, recognised by the inspection, and we closed the venues for repair work.

“They reopened in September and continue to provide customers with high quality food and a great selection of drinks.

“Dreamland Margate amusement park achieved a 5-star rating at its 2016 inspection and we firmly believe that Cinque Ports and Ziggy’s Rooftop Bar are now operating at that same standard.

“We are awaiting another inspection in the near future and expect the rating to reflect the high standards currently in place.”

Thanet District Council’s environmental health department has been contacted for a full copy of the food inspector’s report.