Epsom and Ewell has been identified as the worst place to eat out in the south east by a food watchdog.

More than a quarter of the borough’s eateries were deemed unsatisfactory and said to put customers at risk by environmental health consultants at Encentre during a survey carried out last month.

Inspectors found 59 of the borough’s 407 rateable businesses had ratings of less than three (out of five) from the Food Standards Agency – the government watchdog responsible for assessing businesses food hygiene standards.

Encentre has since urged Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to be more vigilant in targeting offenders and protecting the public.

A council spokeswoman said environmental health officers ensure dangerous premises are identified and try to work with businesses to make improvements.

The council’s environmental health officers temporarily closed Bangladeshi restaurant Sadiqah’s Spice in South Street, Epsom, last month after repeated fines and warnings.

From September: Rat-infested Sadiqah's Spice, Bangladeshi restaurant in Epsom, closed after repeated fines and warnings

Inspectors saw a rat which had crawled out of a disused toilet into its store room during one visit.

Epsom and Ewell finished bottom of Encentre’s table of local authorities in the south east. Canterbury was rated the top location in the south east.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council will use a number of enforcement tools as well as giving advice and guidance to make sure these improvements are made.

“We will also tell the business how quickly these improvements must be made and this will depend on the type of issue that needs to be addressed.

“At times this may need us to serve legal notices, in order to get the improvement we need.

“If the problems are such that there is an imminent risk to health for the people visiting, we can close a business immediately.”

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