A food store infested with rats has been handed a new food hygiene rating.

Warren Local in Southampton was given a zero-out-of-five rating by inspectors – the lowest possible rating – earlier this year.

Inspectors found rat excrement and mould in the Warren Avenue store.

But the latest inspection on August 8 saw the score on the doors jump from a zero to a five.

Warren Local is now rated as ‘very good’ by the Food Standards Agency.

Akhil Mothi of Warren Local said: “The officer visited our premises again and she was happy with our shop.

“We got our points back; we got five stars.

“We hope our customers see this so they can come back to shop.”

READ MORE: Chiller at one-rated food store was ‘dirty with blood’ during inspection

At the previous inspection, inspectors found rodent faeces and gnawed boxes on shelving.

There was also mould on the spout of the slushie drink dispensers.

Staff were told the spouts ‘must be cleaned’ regularly.

The cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were identified as areas requiring urgent improvement.

The hygienic handling of food, including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage, was found to be in need of major improvement.

Staff at the store have since addressed this.