A CHINESE takeout with 'rat droppings and dripping grease' has been slammed in damning hygiene inspection.
The Family House restaurant has been given a zero-out-of-five food hygiene rating - the minimum score awarded by the Food Standards Agency.
An inspection at the family-run business on Commercial Road, Totton, found rat activity in food rooms.
Droppings and a hole were found behind a chest freezer in a storage room with owners told the site needed a 'deep clean'.
A report highlighted that food safety management also required 'major improvements'
But the owners have claimed that all of the issues "have been rectified".
The hygiene rating was issued this week after an inspector visited the restaurant on September 27.
A visit report obtained by the Echo states: "[The] inspection today has revealed rat activity in your food rooms.
"Your pest control records for the past year reveal activity every month.
"I have found droppings and a hole behind the chest freezer in the rear store."
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The restaurant management agreed to voluntarily close after the inspection.
The inspector advised the owners to clean up old droppings, check for fresh ones, and give the kitchen a deep clean.
Furthermore, to contact a pest control contractor.
The inspector returned on September 30 and found "no evidence of pests", so the eatery was allowed to reopen.
However, they noted there was "dripping grease" down the side of a cooker as well as a number of repairs needed on doors and the ceiling.
Details published on the Food Agency Standard website said that "urgent improvement" was needed to the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building.
It also said that "major improvements" were needed for the management of food safety.
This includes checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and whether standards will be maintained in the future.
Hygienic food handling was found to be "generally satisfactory".
A spokesperson from The Family House said: "We would like to clarify that all issues had been addressed and rectified and we were allowed to re-open.
"We have been contacting the health and hygiene [Food Standards Agency] for a new inspection to boost back our hygiene score."
They added that they have been in business for more than 10 years and that this is "the first-ever time" they have had an issue with rats.
The result means that of New Forest's 261 restaurants, cafes and canteens with ratings, 188 (72 per cent) have ratings of five and just one has a zero rating.
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