A "high class" Italian restaurant known for serving up "excellent" food has been handed a one-star food hygiene rating. 

Little Sicily, in Sedgefield, has been told that major improvement is necessary after being visited by inspectors on July 4 this year. 

While hygienic food handling at the High Street restaurant was rated as "generally satisfactory", the management of food safety - the checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat and staff food safety knowledge - was ranked as "major improvement necessary". 

Little Sicily, in SedgefieldLittle Sicily, in Sedgefield (Image: GOOGLE)

Meanwhile, the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building, which investigates layout, hand washing facilities, and pest control, was rated as "improvement necessary".

The popular venue is renowned for its "classic home-cooked Italian dishes" with pizza, pasta, risotto, and burgers all on the menu. 


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Online, it has a 4.4 star rating on Google Reviews, with many praising the "delicious" food, "accommodating" staff and "lively" atmosphere. 

One person said: "An excellent place to eat! Excellent food at a really affordable price. Polite, courteous and very friendly staff creating a really great atmosphere." 

The Northern Echo has contacted Little Sicily for comment and has requested the full food hygiene report from Durham County Council.