Seven firms in Shropshire and Mid Wales have lowest hygiene ratings

The businesses, which include a hotel, shops and restaurants, are currently zero-rated – where "urgent" improvement is required.

Meanwhile, about 80 food businesses across the area currently have a rating of "one", meaning "major" improvement is needed.

Four food businesses in Shropshire and three in Powys currently have the worst rating, according to data released by the Food Standards Agency.

Inspections are carried out by local authorities and cover areas such as food handling, cleanliness and management of food safety.

Businesses ranked "zero" included the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, in Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant , near Oswestry, which was inspected in April.

Documents released by Powys County Council said there were "unsatisfactory standards of cleanliness in the kitchen".

Food including double cream and ready-to-eat salad were being stored past their use-by-date.

Inspectors told the business to do a thorough deep clean and disinfection of the kitchen, describing standards as "unacceptable".

There was damage to kitchen surfaces and the floor, meaning they could not be adequately cleaned, according to the food hygiene inspection report.

Inspectors said there was a risk pieces could break off a damaged glass plate inside a microwave and contaminate food.

The report, written by a senior environmental health officer, said: "At the time of the visit, I was concerned to note completely unsatisfactory standards of cleanliness in the kitchen.

"The structure of the kitchen, including the floor covering, wall coverings, windows etc, and equipment and utensils which food comes into contact, including the microwaves, refrigerators, cooking appliances etc were all in a dirty condition.

"Also, a number of foods were found being stored past their use-by date. The storage of any food past its use-by date is an offence.

"In addition, many other foods were found, including high-risk, ready-to-eat foods like cooked meat, dairy products etc which had not been labelled, and it was unclear how old these products were or whether their safe shelf-life limit had expired."

Rosses Icecream, in Malinslee, and Pondicherry, in Ironbridge, were also given the lowest rating, on a scale from zero to five, following inspections earlier this year.

Clive Freeman, spokesman for Pondicherry, said the business is situated in a listed building and there had been problems with a leak in the roof around the time of the inspection.

He said it had an impact on the operation of the kitchen but the business was currently undergoing an £80,000 renovation and will be applying to be reassessed.

Peace Beauty And Style Products, in Oakengates, Telford, was also given a zero-rating following an inspection in October last year.

In Powys, First Stop (Welshpool) Ltd in Welshpool was given a zero-rating following an inspection earlier this year.

Ghandi Indian Tandoori Takeaway, in Newtown, was given the lowest possible rating following an inspection in July and Lip Licking Kebab House in Llandrindod Wells received a zero-rating in August.

Golden Valley in Llanymynech also received a zero-rating following an inspection earlier this year, but has since been reinspected and now has a rating of two – meaning "improvement necessary".

After the earlier inspection at Golden Valley – where it was rated zero – inspectors from Powys County Council said cleanliness of the kitchen was not up to scratch and the floor, walls, equipment and utensils were in a "dirty" condition.

A report said: "In fact, some of the plastic food preparation boards were so mouldy they were the worst I have ever seen."

It revealed that raw meat was being stored next to ready-to-eat foods, duck eggs were past their use-by date and large quantities of high-risk food were being stored at ambient temperature.

The report said: "This is not acceptable. These foods are high-risk and will support the growth of food poisoning bacteria and/or their toxins and must be kept at or below 8C."

The business was advised to carry out a deep clean and disinfection.

Inspectors said standards had improved when the premises was revisited two days later, but further cleaning was needed.

First Stop (Welshpool) Ltd and Ghandi Indian Tandoori Takeaway declined to comment.

Rosses Icecream, Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Lip Licking Kebab House, Golden Valley and Peace Beauty And Style Products were unavailable for comment.

Businesses in Shropshire and Powys with a zero-rating for food hygiene:

* Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant, near Oswestry

* Rosses Icecream,13 Prince Charles Crescent, Malinslee, Telford

* Pondicherry, 57 Waterloo Street, Ironbridge

* Peace Beauty And Style Products, 56 Market Street, Oakengates, Telford

* First Stop (Welshpool) Ltd, 31-33 Broad Street, Welshpool

* Ghandi Indian Tandoori Takeaway, 18 Severn Street, Newtown, Powys

* Lip Licking Kebab House, 4 Park Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Powys