A city centre takeaway was infested with mice and had no hot running water when health inspectors came to call.

The visit to Cheesoo Chicken on John Street was prompted by a customer complaint, and resulted in the business being given a food hygiene rating of zero and made to shut down for a month.

"An uncontrolled infestation of mice was noted in the kitchen and storage areas and there was a significant risk of contamination of food," wrote environmental health officer David Bacon in his report, of which the T&A has obtained a copy using Freedom of Information legislation.

"Put in place procedures to eradicate this issue, e.g. pest control contractor."

The mice were just one of the food safety issues highlighted in Mr Bacon's report.

Raw meat was stored above ready-to-eat foods in the fridge, risking cross-contamination.

And despite the slogan on the shop's sign - "We believe in FRESH! The fresher the better" - a number of food items were past their sell-by dates.

Mr Bacon also found that the takeaway did not have hot running water to the sinks used for washing up, or to the hand basins in the toilets.

He also ordered "a thorough deep clean of all food production and storage areas".

Immediately following the inspection, on August 30 2018, the takeaway agreed to voluntarily shut down while the issues in the report were addressed.

Mr Bacon returned to Cheesoo Chicken on September 27 for a follow-up visit and passed it fit to open.

He wrote: "I am pleased to report that I found no evidence of mice and that you have running hot water so you are now able to open your business."

The Telegraph & Argus was unable to reach Cheesoo Chicken's management for a comment.