A TAKEAWAY has been warned not to let standards “deteriorate” again after being given the worst possible food hygiene rating due to a "pest infestation".

Ocean’s Fish/Perfetto Pizza in Westcliff has been given a zero out of five rating in its recent food hygiene assessment.

A warning letter from Southend Council to the business, at 173 Fairfax Drive, following the inspection states the business was required to close on September 24 due to a pest infestation that was discovered on site.

This presented an “imminent risk to public health”.

Southend Council says the business agreed to carry out the necessary requirements, namely to carry out a deep clean and engage a pest control service to ensure the premises was pest free.

After a re-visit earlier this month, the council confirmed the deep clean had been carried out and pest control had visited numerous times before confirming there was no longer any evidence of “cockroach or mice activity” on site.

In a warning letter, an inspector said: “When I visited the premises on October 4, it was noted that a thorough deep clean of the structure and equipment had been carried out.

“Pest control had also carried out three visits and confirmed that there was no evidence of cockroach or mice activity on site.”

However, the council has warned enforcement action would be taken if standards “deteriorate again”.

They stated: “You must ensure that standards on site are not permitted to deteriorate again.

“If subsequent visits result in such poor standards being found, then this authority will have no alternative but to consider enforcement action and you may be prosecuted.”

The food hygiene rating of zero given will remain in place until a further full inspection is carried out.

The business was told that “major improvement necessary" was needed for the management of food safety, and cleanliness and condition of facilities.

Ocean’s Fish/Perfetto Pizza was contacted several times by the Echo, but did not respond before the paper went to print.